Euthyphro Assignment: Page #’s are for Fifty Redings, not online version

1. Describe the introduction that sets the scene. Where does the dialogue take place? Who is Euthyphro? Why is Socrates talking to him? About what? pp. 4-6

2. Outline the dialogue that leads up to and asks the “Ti esti?” question, which is the "What is it" question on pp. 6-7.  Socrates was very interested in definitions (see supplementary materials on website on Socratic questioning). You can't call someone pious unless you first know what the word means.  The Socratic method is a method of questioning used to try to come up with a good definition.

3.  List the many questions  and briefly summarize Euthyphro’s responses on pp.7-13.  See how the questions that Socrates asks lead Euthyphro to a point of confusion which is an important part of any Socratic dialogue.  List Euthyphro’s answers. Euthyphro, like most people, thinks he knows much more about piety than he actually does.  Socrates tried to show people that important questions were more complex than one initially thought.

4.  What progress do Socrates and Euthyphro make towards a new and better definition? Show how Euthyphro comes to a better understanding of piety and/or at least realizes his ignorance about the issue on  pp.13-17.

5.  How does the dialogue end? What does this tell you about Euthyphro? p.18