apology 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and arguments from the lecture on Divine Command Theory and Plato's Euthyphro dialogue.

Divine Command Theory

Morality is determined by God's will.

Euthyphro's 3rd Definition of Piety

Piety is what all the gods love, and impiety is what all the gods hate.

Socrates' Core Question (Divine Command Theory)

Is conduct commanded by God because it is right, or is it right because it is commanded by God?

Consequence of 'right because commanded by God' (Option B)

Makes morality arbitrary and renders the goodness of God meaningless.

Consequence of 'commanded by God because it is right' (Option A)

Removes arbitrariness but makes morality independent of God’s will, potentially making Divine Command Theory false.

DCT and God's Existence

Accepting Divine Command Theory requires that God exists, but believing God exists does not necessarily mean accepting DCT.

Socrates' Critique of Euthyphro's Definitions

Euthyphro often defines an effect or quality of piety (e.g., that it is loved by the gods), rather than what piety itself essentially is.

Circular Definition

Defining a term by using other terms that eventually lead back to the original term (e.g., Pious "Good
Virtuous
Righteous
Pious).

Relationship between Piety and Justice (Socrates)

All that is pious is just, but not all that is just is pious (meaning piety is a part of justice).

Relationship between Shame and Fear (Socrates)

All cases of shame are cases of fear, but not all cases of fear are cases of shame (meaning shame is a part of fear).

Euthyphro's 4th Definition of Piety

Piety is the part of justice concerned with the care of the gods.

Genus-differentia definition

A word or concept defined by placing it in a broader category (genus) and explaining how it differs from other members of that category (differentia).

Euthyphro's 5th Definition of Piety

Piety is a sort of trading skill between gods and men (giving them honor, reverence, and gratitude).

The Cynical View (Euthyphro's Point)

The discussion shows philosophy is a waste of time, implying nobody learns anything from it.