Euthyphro Discussion

Discussion Questions

1. Is the Euthyphro right to prosecute his father? What's the right thing to do here? How can we figure out what it is?

2. What's the difference between subjectivity and objectivity? What makes something objective and what makes something subjective? Are values subjective or objective? Why?

3. What is the 3rd definition that Euthyphro gives for piety? Why does Socrates think it's problematic? Do you agree with Socrates or Euthyphro? Apply this argument to a contemporary religious context: Can there be moral values without God/gods?

4. What is the 2nd definition that Euthyphro gives for piety? Why does Socrates think it's problematic? Apply this argument to a contemporary religious context; i.e., suppose a religious person today wants to know what the pious thing to do is, how would they figure it out? Does the same argument hold?