The Last Days of Socrates

Euthyphro and Socrates encounter each other outside the Athenian court while pursuing opposite tasks. Euthyphro is bringing a lawsuit against his father for murder, and Socrates has been indicted by a young man called Meletus for “making new gods,” “not believing in the ancient ones,” and corrupting Athenian youths (40). Using these two cases, the dialogue explores the meaning of piety.

Euthyphro’s charges against his father presents a first definition of piety, by means of example. Socrates assumes the murder victim must have been a family member since Euthyphro otherwise would have no reason to prosecute. Euthyphro counters that it should not matter whether the victim is a family member, only whether the murder was just. If the murder was unjust, then proceedings should be brought against the murderer since all who associate with him would be polluted by the act.

Euthyphro’s father killed a day-laborer in the family’s service who himself had killed one of the family’s slaves in a dispute. Euthyphro’s father had the day-laborer tied up and thrown into a ditch while he sought counsel from the authorities. Before their response could arrive, the day-laborer died of exposure and hunger. Euthyphro acts on the premise that since murder leads to pollution, murder must be impious.