Text and tradition - Essay Example

Socrates objects, pointing to existence of various Gods and, as a result, different ways of pleasing them; there is a logical contradiction when one the same action can be represented at the same time pious and improper: Later Euthyphro modifies definition by saying that pious is something that causes unanimously positive reaction in all Gods without exception (and vice versa). Socrates in reply formulates "Euthyphro`s dilemma": the act is pious because it is dear to Gods or it is dear to Gods because it is pious in nature?

“And a thing is not seen because it is visible, but conversely, visible because it is seen; nor is a thing led because it is in the state of being led, or carried because it is in the state of being carried, but the converse of this. And now I think, Euthyphro, that my meaning will be intelligible; and my meaning is, that any state of action or passion implies previous action or passion" Socrates offers his own variant of the definition combining piety with justice. However, reflections on this concept, make the interlocutors reject such definition because all pious is fair, thus not all fair is pious.

Attempt to specify the concept of justice leads Socrates and Euthyphro to the thought that justice involves interaction with Gods in this or that sense. Euthyphro formulates the definition according to which piety is intervened with sacrificing and praying. However, both interlocutors agree that sacrificing is reasonable in case when someone needs gifts while Gods cannot require anything, and, therefore, the acts of praying and sacrificing do not make sense and cannot solely characterize piety.

On the contrary these acts remind trade. As a result Socrates and Euthyphro return to the thought that piety is a gratification to God. The general sense of "Euthyphro" is clear. It is correct that piety is a gratification to Gods but it is not exact. It is also correct that piety is an aspiration to justice but it is not precise as well.