The Morality of Socrates and Euthyphro

Paper Summary:

This paper contrasts the characters and moral fiber of Socrates and Euthryphro, as Plato has described them in "The Trial and Death of Socrates." The two men meet outside the court in Athens, where Socrates is being charged with impiety and corrupting the youth, and Euthyphro, a priest, is prosecuting his own father for murder. The author illustrates how Socrates is shown throughout the book to be humble, principled, caring, and just, while Euthryphro is exposed as an arrogant, foolish and impious man.

From the Paper:

"Not least of all, Euthyphro is an arrogant man. He talks of being laughed at by the Athenian assembly for foretelling the future. He is convinced that they laugh because they are envious of his gift of prophecy. He rates himself as superior to most men and states that he has knowledge surpassing most men. He cannot back these claims as Socrates easily turns over every definition of piety the man can create. He does not even have the knowledge to teach a man who claims he knows nothing of piety himself, such as Socrates."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Jowett, Benjamin; Plato. Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 1988.

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• Analytical Essay # 147009 : "Socrates and His Dialog With Euthyphro About God's Will"

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