#259 - Euthyphro by Plato

Aug 29, 2025

Dive into a captivating exploration of Plato's 'Euthyphro' as Socrates interrogates the essence of piety. The discussion highlights the nuances of different translations, making each reading a unique journey. With Euthyphro struggling to provide clear answers, the stakes rise as Socrates faces charges of impiety. The dialogue reveals the complexities of Greek philosophy, showcasing how repeated readings can lead to deeper understanding. What emerges is not just a quest for definition, but a philosophical dance between wisdom and ignorance.

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ANECDOTE

Socrates Meets Euthyphro In The Agora

Erik describes the opening scene: Socrates meets Euthyphro in the Agora while both head to magistrates.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Euthyphro Prosecutes His Father

Erik recounts Euthyphro prosecuting his father for murder and claiming prophetic knowledge of piety.

insights

INSIGHT

Socrates Has A Personal Stake

Socrates' stake in defining piety is personal: he faces charges of impiety and needs a clear form to defend himself.

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Exploring Multiple Translations of 'Euthyphro'

04:44 • 2min

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Navigating the Complexities of Greek Philosophy

07:01 • 2min

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Exploring the Essence of Piety in Socratic Dialogue

The Notebooks of Euthyphro

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Written in the 5th century BCE, 'Antigone' by Sophocles is a tragedy set in the ancient Greek city of Thebes. The play revolves around Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta, who defies King Creon's law by burying her brother Polyneices, who was declared a traitor. This act of civil disobedience sparks a profound exploration of themes such as the tension between personal morality and state law, the nature of justice, the role of fate, and the dangers of excessive pride. The play highlights Antigone's unwavering commitment to her familial duty and the gods, contrasting with Creon's rigid adherence to the law. The tragic consequences of their inflexible moral standpoints lead to a devastating outcome, questioning the absolute authority of human law versus divine law.

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Plato's *Apology* is a historical and philosophical account of Socrates' defense at his trial in 399 BCE. Socrates was charged with corrupting the youth and impiety, but instead of apologizing, he defended his actions as a philosopher, emphasizing his commitment to truth and virtue. The dialogue captures Socrates' fearless reasoning and his reflections on mortality, leading to his eventual sentencing to death by drinking hemlock.

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This volume includes the entire surviving corpus of works attributed to Plato in antiquity. It features outstanding translations by leading scholars, introductory essays by John Cooper and D.S. Hutchinson, meticulous annotation, and a comprehensive index. The collection covers a wide range of philosophical topics, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics, and is presented in a high-quality edition with fine paper and a sturdy cloth binding.

The Last Days of Socrates

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This book is a compilation of four dialogues: *Euthyphro*, *Apology*, *Crito*, and *Phaedo*. These dialogues detail the final days of Socrates, from his trial to his execution. In *Euthyphro*, Socrates discusses the nature of piety. *The Apology* presents Socrates's defense against charges of impiety and corrupting the youth. *Crito* explores Socrates's decision not to escape from prison, arguing that he must obey the laws of Athens. *Phaedo* delves into the nature of the human soul and Socrates's arguments for its immortality. These dialogues are central to Western philosophy, examining critical questions about ethics, law, and the human condition.

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• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Euthyphro

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Plato

Plato's "Euthyphro" is a short but significant dialogue that explores the nature of piety and the relationship between morality and divine will. The dialogue centers on a conversation between Socrates and Euthyphro, who is prosecuting his own father for murder. Socrates challenges Euthyphro's definition of piety, leading to a series of attempts to define the concept that ultimately fail. The dialogue raises the famous Euthyphro dilemma: is something pious because the gods love it, or do the gods love it because it is pious? This dilemma highlights the tension between divine command theory and the existence of objective moral truths. "Euthyphro" is a classic example of Socratic questioning and its enduring relevance lies in its exploration of fundamental questions about morality and the nature of the divine.

I have decided to read through the complete works of Plato. Euthyphro is my first dialogue in this Plato Project. I ended up reading it 4 times within 4 different translations. In this episode, I give a brief overview of the dialogue, talk about piety and if/when this word shows up in Homer, the Greek Tragedies, and elsewhere, and cover each of the answers and responses between Euthyphro and Socrates.

Socrates has asked Euthyphro if piety and impiety take on an essential form. Poor Euthyphro thinks he is wise by giving particular example after particular example, but Socrates is after something deeper. Will we get to a form of piety and impiety that can be referenced in all circumstances? The stakes are high. Socrates has just been charged with impiety in corrupting the youth, creating new gods, and forsaking the old gods. If he can’t answer this charge, he’s in trouble. He’s hoping Euthyphro can give him a piety form. Or is Socrates just prodding Euthyphro to see if he knows what he is taking about?

Here are the four versions I read:

* Complete Works - edited by John M. Cooper - translated by G.M.A. Grube

* Penguin Classics The Last Days of Socrates - translated by Hugh Tredennick and Harold Tarrant (intro)

* Loeb Classical Library - translated by Harold North Fowler

* Collected Dialogues - edited by Edith Hamilton & Huntington Cairns - translated by Lane Cooper

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