Euthyphro

This, for Socrates, is like pouring fuel on the fire and he begins to badger Euthyphro with more questions. Euthyphro felt that he knew what all the gods would agree on as holy or unholy. Euthyphro is thoroughly frustrated and tells Socrates that he is in a hurry and must go. Socrates voices that he is disappointed that he will not be able to use his definition of holiness and unholiness in his defense at his upcoming trial. Euthyphro explains that holiness is to be like him. It should be simple for Euthyphro to answer. Euthyphro agrees to this and is confident that it would help Socrates. Zeus punished his father Cronos because he devoured his sons. He accomplished his intention by proving to Euthyphro, a self-proclaimed expert, that he really does not know much of anything at all. Euthyphro insists that they are and that he believes every last word. Socrates tries to begin the whole process again and ask the first question since it has not adequately been answered. Socrates that it does not matter if a man is a relative or not, if he has done something unholy, he must be punished. So Socrates helped Euthyphro dig himself into a hole further by changing the definition slightly, “what all the gods hate is unholy, and what they all love is holy and what some of them love and others hate is both or neither” (14). He then left the man in the ditch to seek council from a priest on how to deal with this matter. Euthyphro begins to get frustrated with Socrates and complains, “I really do not know, Socrates, how to say what I mean.