Plato's Euthyphro depicts Socrates engaged in conversation with Euthyphro, a man who claims to have superior knowledge in the subject of ethics and piety. The conversation between the men takes place in the hall of the king. Socrates faces an indictment by a man named Meletus on the impious charge of corrupting the youth by making false gods and not believing in the old ones. Euthyphro is there not on an indictment, but is filing a suit against his father for inadvertently murdering a slave who was in fact a murder himself. This nonconformist action by Euthyphro causes Socrates to question him on the nature of his action and then on the nature of piety. Throughout the dialogue Socrates poses as someone unaware of what piety or holiness is. Socrates asks Euthyphro as to why he would prosecute his own father, an action thought to be impious by the norms of society. Euthyphro claims to be an expert in the field of piety and even says, "If I did not understand...Euthyphro would not be better than any other man."1 This is ironic for Socrates is actually more of the expert and helps Euthyphro understand his statements though open-ended inquiry. Socrates guides Euthyphro through Euthyphro's own answers; and by doing so, he slowly shows that Euthyphro is obviously not as educated he claims to be. Socrates does not claim to have divine knowledge, nor does he claim to be ignorant. He does however acknowledge his ignorance unlike Euthyphro.
             When Socrates hears that Euthyphro is prosecuting his father, he seems somewhat surprised. He tells Euthyphro that he must have a higher knowledge of religious matters and holiness to act in such a way. He then asks Euthyphro to explain to him what the meaning of piety is so that he may use it in his court case. Socrates' line of questioning is quite ironic; for he does not actually want an answer, rather he wants for Euthyphro to understand his ignorance. Socrate...