Euthyphro (Part VII)

Socrates: Do you believe that, in reality, the gods actually wage war against one other and that among them exist fierce enmities, battles, and other such conflicts?

These tales are told by the poets with equivalent depictions decorated by good painters in our temples. At the Greater Panathenaea, a veil adorned with variegated decorations is carried into the Acropolis.

Must we say, O Euthyphro, that these things are true?

Euthyphro: Not only these things, O Socrates, but just as I said, I can inform you of many other things relating to divine matters if you are willing to listen, and when you hear them, you will be astonished.

Socrates: I dare say, but you can tell me these things at your leisure some other time. Now, try to explain more clearly that which I have asked. For you, my friend,  have not yet sufficiently answered my question.

What is piety? You have only told me that what you are doing now is pious, that is, prosecuting your own father for murder.

Euthyphro: And I spoke the truth, Socrates.

Socrates: Perhaps so. but, O Euthyphro, did you not also say that many other things are pious?

Euthyphro: I did.

Socrates: Remember, I did not ask you to teach me one or two examples from amongst the many pious things, but:

What is the form itself that makes all pious things pious?

You have said that impious things are impious because of one idea and also that pious things are pious because of another idea. Do you not remember?

Euthyphro: I do.

Socrates: Teach me, therefore, what this very idea is so that I can see it and use it as a paradigm. Then, I may identify anything you or others do of this nature as pious and anything not of this nature as impious.

Euthyphro: If you wish it, Socrates, I will also tell you this.

Socrates: I do wish it.

Plato, The Euthyphro

The Greater Panathenaea was a festival held in Athens during which the peplos/shawl/veil of Athena was carried in a grand procession. The Olympian Gods were depicted as defeating giants in battle, symbolising the opposing forces between the first and the last creative powers of the universe. These powers help shape and preside over the earthly world. This veil of Athena represents the harmonious nature of the universe, which the Goddess weaves from the divine intellect contained within her. It is said that Athena herself defeated the giants because she ruled over the ultimate artificer of things through her unifying powers.

Recollection, forms, ideas. justice. - some of the key words we are being introduced to.

Paradigm - think of this as the model or pattern of something.

Note from the editor of Classical Philosophy