CIE-100 with Rein, Fall 2009

Dear CIE students -- here are the questions on Euthyphro I promised you. As I said in class, please read the entire text, but give special attention (in other words, reread multiple times) the first half, up to p. 54. Please attempt to answer as many of these questions as possible. I will not be collecting your responses, but I strongly encourage you to post them to your blog.

Nathan

Euthyphro preparation questions for CIE-100.V and .ZC (Rein's CIE I sections)

Note: when referring to specific passages in the Euthyphro, use a page number and the so-called "Stephanus numbers" in the margin. Thus, to refer to the passage on p. 44, where Socrates says, "What then? Are you prosecuting someone who flies?," you would use the number 4a along with the page number.

1. Where are Socrates and Euthyphro, and why (specifically and in detail) are they there?

2. Based on the first five pages of the dialogue (through p. 46), how would you describe Euthyphro -- what kind of person is he?

3. Who is Meletus?

4. What does Socrates ask Euthyphro to teach him? Why does he claim he wants to learn this?

5. What is "piety," from the perspective of this dialogue? (In other words, what are they actually talking about?)

6. Identify the four attempts Euthyphro makes to answer Socrates' central question, and explain why each attempt fails.

7. On p. 48, at 6d, find the paragraph that begins, "Do you remember that I didn't bid you..." This is a key objection to one of Euthyphro's statements. Rephrase it in your own words.

8. At one point, Euthyphro defines piety as "what is dear to the gods" (p. 48, 7a). What does Socrates ultimately find to be the problem with this definition?

9. What is the main point of the exchange on pp. 53-54? How does it end?

10. What is "tendance" (p. 57, 12e and after)? Look it up if necessary -- keep in mind that "tendence of" something is similar to the idea of "tending to" something. Make sure you're clear on this.

11. Paraphrase Euthyphro's statement on p. 59, 14b, which begins: "I also told you a little while ago, Socrates..." What is Euthyphro saying in this short paragraph? What's your reaction -- does his point seem reasonable to you or not?

12. Socrates returns to the idea of "dear to the gods" at 15b (p. 60). What is the context this time? How did Socrates get back to this point, and how does it affect the dialogue here?

13. What happens at the very end of the dialogue, and why?

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