During a discussion of the nature of piety, Euthyphro proposes that piety is that which is approved of by the gods. Socrates counters that the gods may disagree among themselves, a problem which obviously not arise were there only one god. Monotheism cannot resolve the deeper questions inherent in postulating a divine origen for morality, however. If god merely endorses what is inherently good, he is not the author of morality. Conversely, if god is indeed free to create morality as he sees fit, then all ethical systems would seem to reduce to simple power worship. This is generally known as Euthyphro's dilemma.
Socrates poses this question.."Is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?" It is a dilemma, as Euthyphro's own definition of piety cannot answer this. If an action is "right", if it is pious, only if the gods love it, then moral rightness depends only on the whim of the gods. If, however, the gods love the morally right actions because they are already right, then there has to be some non-divine source that defines these actions, gives them value, and we, as humans and non-divine, would come to know without the love of the gods.
The problem isn't with Euthyphro's polytheism. It is with theism in any form. Theism cannot resolve the dilemma.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
During a discussion of the nature of piety, Euthyphro proposes that piety is that which is approved of by the gods. Socrates counters that the gods may disagree among themselves, a problem which obviously not arise were there only one god. Monotheism cannot resolve the deeper questions inherent in postulating a divine origen for morality, however. If god merely endorses what is inherently good, he is not the author of morality. Conversely, if god is indeed free to create morality as he sees fit, then all ethical systems would seem to reduce to simple power worship. This is generally known as Euthyphro's dilemma.
Socrates poses this question.."Is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?" It is a dilemma, as Euthyphro's own definition of piety cannot answer this. If an action is "right", if it is pious, only if the gods love it, then moral rightness depends only on the whim of the gods. If, however, the gods love the morally right actions because they are already right, then there has to be some non-divine source that defines these actions, gives them value, and we, as humans and non-divine, would come to know without the love of the gods.
The problem isn't with Euthyphro's polytheism. It is with theism in any form. Theism cannot resolve the dilemma.