Moral Problems Raised by the Immoralists Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Moral Problems Raised by the Immoralists - Essay Example In this argumentative essay, I will focus on finding out whether Plato provide adequate solution to the moral problems raised by immoralists and whether he provides good reasons to suggest that the good life is the best life (Melchert, 45) Plato’s dialogue referred to as Euthyphro brings out a discussion that occurred between Socrates and his counterpart, Euthyphro. The dialogue concerns the meaning of piety, as brought out by Socrates asking the meaning of piety, as well as impiety. He tries to clearly find out this virtue which he mostly regards as a manner of living that brings satisfaction to one’s duty both to gods and to humanity, this he affirms by saying â€Å"that which is considered holy by God is piety† This is of concern with respect to the fate of Socrates, who as seen from the dialogue has been accused of impiety and is thus is almost to be tried before the Athenian court in order to establish his guilt or innocence of the crime accused to him. His consistent argument is based on the opinion that the Athenian societies generally did not comprehend the real nature of either devotion or wickedness (Melchert, 18). This is observed when Socrates asks Euthyphro to reply to the question â⠂¬Å"What is piety?† He has an aim in doing this, for Euthyphro, a sophist, claims to be wise concerning such issues, while in the case of Socrates is making no such claim for himself but professes to just be ignorant. Socrates tries to find out how wise Euthyphro, and if not to the given standard, he will expose the shallowness of his claim. The statement of Socrates saying, â€Å"In cannot assent to your superior wisdom†. Euthyphro is seen to have the fame of being a wise individual, a mystic, and a fortuneteller. Being a teacher, he provides instructions on moral and political matters, as Socrates states, â€Å"I have become your disciple. You Mellitus, as I shall say to him, acknowledge Euthyphro to be a great theologian, and sound in his opinions†, (Plato’s Republic, 34).