Source edition
Platonis Opera, Tomus I: Tetralogia I-II. Burnet, John, 1863-1928, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1905.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a philosophical dialogue depicting the philosopher Socrates, who has been accused of corrupting the youth, debating the essence of "piety" (hosiotēs) just before his trial. Set near the Royal Colonnade in Athens, Socrates meets Euthyphro, a religious expert who is confidently prosecuting his own father for murder. Marvelling at Euthyphro's certainty regarding sacred matters, Socrates asks to become his disciple and inquires about the essential definition of piety. Euthyphro proposes several definitions, such as "what is loved by the gods" or "service to the gods," but Socrates systematically exposes the contradictions and logical flaws in each attempt. Despite their shifting arguments, the definitions eventually circle back to their starting point, failing to grasp the universal "Form" (idea) of piety. In the end, a frustrated Euthyphro leaves on the pretext of urgent business, and the dialogue concludes in an impasse without reaching a clear definition.