Plato's Euthyphro is an obscure dialogue conversation that attempts to unveil an ideal meaning of piety. The purpose of this paper as a whole is to analyze transitions as to where definitions of piety are being made. Furthermore, it will attempt to explain the separation of morality as independent of religion (a system of social beliefs), while attempting to define morality. .
It is essential to understand the role of the gods to establish the definition of piety. All those in Athenian society during Plato's existence who did wrong, did wrong against the gods. Therefore, all wrong doers are prosecuted for the sake of the gods. It was seen that these wrong doers did commit a wrong that was ungodly. On the other hand, it was unknown to Plato what exactly godliness and ungodliness where. As the conversation continues and it seems there is a collaboration of thoughts and ideas on behalf of both men to develop the definition of piety. Plato states "that piety would be knowledge of how to give to, and beg from, the gods" [14d]. This final definition clearly indicates that piety is something that the gods receive from man. The offerings of thankfulness and outward respect to them are things which Euthyphro believes are dear to the gods. Thus, making what is dear to the gods pious. Being pious is approved by Gods; not the things which Gods thinks are pious. Humanity though, is provided with no basic understanding of the term piety. All they know of is one effect of piety. The fact that it is a thing that pleases the Gods is co-extensive with the definition of piety. An act of piety always has an element of justice, but an act of justice will not always be pious.
How are morals established and who decides what's moral? The "moral majority" decides this. The consensus of those which govern laws govern the morality of a particular society. However, everyone may not have similar beliefs as to what morality is.
