Socrates - Definitions of Piety Essay -- Socrates Plato Philosophy

Socrates - Definitions of PietyDuring the Periclean age (around 400 B.C.) in Athens Greece there was aman named Socrates. He was considered a very wise man by the Athenians. Howeverthere were men in power who did not care for him or his teachings Claiming thathe corrupted the Athenian youth and did not believe in the Greek gods, Socrateswas put on trail. On his way to his trial Socrates met a man named Euthyphro, aprofessional priest who is respected by the authorities (those who indispensability getrid of Socrates). Euthyphro is at the court house to prosecute his father for mutilate. Socrates finds this to be interesting. If Euthyphro can properly explainwhy he is prosecuting his father for murder Socrates might have an understandingof piety. This would help Socrates to defend himself, for the prosecutors knowand think highly of Euthyphro. Socrates could then draw parallels betweenhimself and Euthyphro, who the citizens highly respect, thus bringing himrespect, and freedom. This i s where Socrates begins his talks with Euthyphroseeking the definition of piety. Socrates wants Euthyphro to teach him themeaning of piety since Euthyphro considers himself an authority on the subject.In this dialogue Euthyphro gives Socrates four different definitions of what hebelieves piety is, none of which turn up satisfactory to Socrates, leaving thequestion unanswered in the end.The first definition that Euthyphro provides to Socrates is that the...