Euthyphro Lecture

Euthyphro Lecture

• 1.
  EuthyphroOr, an Introductionto the Socratic Method
• 2.
  The Historical SocratesBornabt 470 BC in Athens GreeceHad a wife and three childrenTrained as a stonemasonServed in the military (as was customary)Unclear how he earned a livingPhilosophy was spoken only, never writtenThe main records of Socrates come from Plato
• 3.
  Ancient AthensCity-stateOnly male,landowning citizens had political powerThirty Tyrants: Overthrew democratic government in 404 BC. Leader was Critias, a former student of Socrates.
• 4.
  Socratic MethodGoal: Findtruth through direct questioningA reasonable person must commit to being consistentA set of ideas/statements is consistent if they can all be true at the same timeThe principle of non-contradiction
• 5.
  Socratic MethodGoal: Findtruth through direct questioningDirect Question:Examines a definition or claimQuestioner puts forward claims that follow from the previous definition or claimCan only be answered with “yes” or “no”Contradiction requires rejection of definition or claimNew definition or claim put forward and process begins again
• 6.
  EuthyphroWhat is Piety?(5d– 6e)Euthyphro: Piety is trying your father for murder like I am now.Socrates: But that is just an example, what makes that action pious?Goal: Find universal definition of concept
• 7.
  EuthyphroWhat is Piety?(7a– 8a)Euthyphro: What the gods love.Socrates: But some gods love things while other gods hate the same thing.Goal: Avoid contradiction
• 8.
  EuthyphroWhat is Piety?(9e- 10a)Euthyphro: What all gods love.Socrates: Do the gods love it because it is pious or is it pious because the gods love it?Goal: Find the source of the gods’ love.
• 9.
  The Euthyphro ProblemAChristian Variation“Is what is morally good commanded by God because it is morally good or is it morally good because it is commanded by God?”
• 10.
  The Euthyphro ProblemAChristian VariationThe First Horn of the DilemmaMorality is dependent on GodMorality is arbitraryNo reason to God's actionsGod is neither good nor bad
• 11.
  The Euthyphro ProblemAChristian VariationThe Second Horn of the DilemmaMorality is independent of GodGod is not all powerfulGod is not completely free--must command moralityDon't need God to be moral
• 12.
  EuthyphroWhat is Piety?(12e– 14c)Euthyphro: The care of the gods.Socrates: So to be pious is to make the gods better?