attention is likeministration to the gods. Socrates then points out that ministration usuallymeans assisting someone in his work, and asks what ministration to thegods helps them to do. Euthyphro responds that the discussion hasbecome tiresome, and issues his fifth definition: “Piety...is learning how toplease the gods by prayers and sacrifices." Socrates asks if piety is an artwhich gods and human beings have of doing business with one another,and what benefits do the gods receive from the offerings of individuals. Euthyphro answers that they get “tributes of honour”; they are pleased,not benefited. Socrates tells him that by saying that the gods are pleased,they have returned to an earlier definition. Frustrated and annoyed,Euthyphro tells Socrates that he is in a hurry to depart and ends thediscussion. ANALYSIS This dialogue explores the meaning of Piety. As the dialogue starts,Socrates is on his way to court to defend himself against accusations ofimpious behavior; Euthyphro is prosecuting his own father based on hisown understanding in the matter of piety. As the dialogue develops,Euthyphro seems to take on the role of Meletus, Socrates’ accuser. Heclaims to have perfect understanding in the matter of piety, so Socratesrequests his help to answer Meletus charges against him. He asksEuthyphro to instruct him about the nature of piety. In his first definition,Euthyphro states that he is justified on bringing charges against his fatherbecause Zeus has done the same, and therefore there is divinejustification. Later, Euthyphro offers other definitions about the nature ofpiety, and in all of them he implies that his knowledge in the subject isindeed superior to the majority. If this is the case, then only Euthyphro isthe judge as to whether an action should or should not be performed. Hestarts by justifying his actions through divine understanding, but Socratesis not satisfied. He then tries to mak...
