Euthyphro is one of Plato’s most popular dialogues, which features the philosopher Socrates discussing the efforts to define the meaning of ‘piety’ with a man by the same name Socrates raises the complex question of how we can decide which moral actions are truly pious. The dialogue does not provide an answer, but it does challenge the interlocutors to think deeply about the role of God in morality and how humans can hope to define virtue and value.
The following are five interesting essay topics one could write about in reference to Euthyphro:
1. How does Euthyphro’s idea of piety differ from that of the other characters in the dialogue?
2. What is the significance of the various definitions of piety in the dialogue?
3. Does Euthyphro’s definition of piety have any implications for modern morality?
4. What is the significance of Socrates’ propositions on the nature of virtue in the dialogue?
5. Are there any limitations to Euthyphro’s definition of piety?