Socrates method / the Euthyphro

Socratic definition 

• When Socrates first encounters Euthyphro he is prosecuting his father for murdering a servant 

• Socrates admits he is skeptical of these stories of the gods 

• Socrates endorsed the priority of definition 

• Problem: the gods disagree about what is just and unjust, the gods might agree on general principles but they will disagree of particular circumstances 

Divine command theory problems 

• Seems to make gods commands and the morality that stems from them arbitrary 

• We cannot have moral reasons for obeying god 

• We might do it out of self-interest, if not god will punish us  

Piety and knowledge 

• Socrates is implying that service to the gods aims at the health of the soul making ourselves as good and as wise as possible 

• Before arriving at aporia and admitting his own ignorance euthyphro runs away 

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