Euthyphro (Part IX)
Socrates: So Euthyphro, there is nothing wonderful about this action you are taking to punish your father, which is pleasing to Zeus, but offensive to Cronus and Uranus, and which is also pleasing to Hephaestus, but offensive to Hera. If any other Gods disagree on this matter, then you will be doing something that pleases one but is offensive to another.
Euthyphro: But I think, Socrates, that no one of the Gods will differ from another in this matter, and they will not declare - it is not appropriate for him who has unjustly slain another to suffer punishment.
Socrates: But what did you say? Have you ever heard of any person, O Euthyphro, doubting whether he who has unjustly slain another or has done anything else unjust ought to be punished?
Euthyphro: They never stop doubting these matters, both in the courts of justice and elsewhere. Those who act unjustly to a very great extent say and do everything to escape punishment.
Socrates: Do they also, O Euthyphro, confess that they have acted unjustly? And confessing this, do they at the same time say that they ought not to be punished?
Euthyphro: They by no means say this.
Socrates: Therefore, they do not say and do everything. For I believe they would not dare to suggest or doubt that, if they act unjustly, they must be punished. Instead, I believe they deny that they have acted unjustly. Do they not?
Euthyphro: You are speaking the truth.
Socrates: Therefore, they are not in doubt about whether he who acts unjustly ought to be punished, but they perhaps doubt who he is that acts unjustly, and by what action, and when his conduct may have been considered as unjust.
Euthyphro: True
Socrates: According to yourself, would not the very same thing happen among the Gods if they disagree with each other on what is just and unjust? Wouldn't some of them claim that others act unjustly while others deny it?
Since, O wonderful man, no one, either of Gods or humankind, dares to state that punishment ought not to be inflicted on him who acts unjustly.
Euthyphro: Socrates, on the whole, that is true.
Socrates: But those who are in doubt, whether Gods or humankind, will be doubtful with respect to each act. When the Gods disagree about any action, some of them say that it is done justly, but others unjustly. is it not so?
Euthyphro: Certainly.
Socrates: Come then, my dear Euthyphro, teach myself so I can become more wise.
What proof does yourself have that all of the Gods think that he died unjustly, he who had slain his fellow servant and then he who was put in chains by the master of the deceased, and then he who perished before the one that bound him received the answer on how to act from the interpreters of sacred concerns?
On these accounts, is it right for a son to prosecute his father and accuse him of murder?
Come, endeavour to teach myself clearly on these matters and demonstrate to myself how all the Gods consider this action to be the right thing to do. And if you demonstrate this to myself adequately, I will never cease praising you for yourself's wisdom.
Euthyphro: This is no small undertaking, if it wasn't, I would be able to clearly demonstrate it to yourself.
Socrates: I understand. I appear to yourself to be more dull-witted than the judges since yourself will evidently prove to them that your father's conduct was unjust and that all the gods are offended by his actions.
Euthyphro: I shall demonstrate this very clearly, Socrates, if they will only hear what I have to say.
Socrates: But they will hear if yourself shall appear and speak well.
Plato The Euthyphro
We catch a glimpse of the nature of the Gods, our beginnings, the existence of the upper worlds, and Harmony.
To some extent, Socrates is playing with Euthyphro. Socrates has switched sides, on the one hand, placing himself with The Many while, on the other hand, placing Euthyphro with a sense of reverence on the side of sacred Athens.
Up to this point in the dialogue, Socrates has been gradually increasing the pressure on Euthyphro whilst also aligning himself with Euthyphro's father.
This dialogue is subtly foreshadowing the impending trial of Socrates.
Note from the editor of Classical Philosophy