Socrates - Definitions of Piety

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Socrates - Definitions of Piety

During the Periclean age (around 400 B.C.) in Athens Greece there was a

man named Socrates. He was considered a very wise man by the Athenians. However

there were men in power who did not care for him or his teachings; Claiming that

he corrupted the Athenian youth and did not believe in the Greek gods, Socrates

was put on trail. On his way to his trial Socrates met a man named Euthyphro, a

professional priest who is respected by the "authorities" (those who want get

rid of Socrates). Euthyphro is at the court house to prosecute his father for

murder. Socrates finds this to be interesting. If Euthyphro can properly explain

why he is prosecuting his father for murder Socrates might have an understanding

of piety. This would help Socrates to defend himself, for the prosecutors know

and think highly of Euthyphro. Socrates could then draw parallels between

himself and Euthyphro, who the citizens' highly respect, thus bringing him

respect, and freedom. This is where Socrates begins his dialogue with Euthyphro

seeking the definition of piety. Socrates wants Euthyphro to teach him the

meaning of piety since Euthyphro considers himself an authority on the subject.

In this dialogue Euthyphro gives Socrates four different definitions of what he

believes piety is, none of which prove satisfactory to Socrates, leaving the

question unanswered in the end.

The first definition that Euthyphro provides to Socrates is that "the
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