Euthyphro dilemma and its philosophical implications

Euthyphro Dilemma is actually a series of conceptual or logical problems associated with defining pious or moral behavior in principle. Specifically, it incorporates three separate possible arguments for defining what is pious behavior. The first possible definition suggested in the text is simply that pious behavior is doing that which is pious; the second definition suggested in the text is that pious behavior is that which embodies whatever is approved by the Gods; the third definition suggested in the text is that pious behavior is that which is approved by all of the Gods. Each of those suggestions raises specific logical problems highlighted by Socrates in his questions to Euthyphro.

Euthyphro's First Definition of Piety

"Piety is doing as I am doing; that is to say, prosecuting any one who is guilty of murder, sacrilege, or of any similar crime-whether he be your father or mother, or whoever he may be-that makes no difference; and not to prosecute them is impiety."

This definition of piety amounts to nothing more than circular reasoning: "what I am doing is pious because I am doing something pious. This is the purest form of circular reasoning and cannot possibly provide a functional definition of anything through a reference to itself.

Euthyphro's Second Definition of Piety

"Piety, then, is that which is dear to the gods, and impiety is that which is not dear to them."

This definition of piety is not capable of providing a concrete definition simply because different Gods may differ in how they define piety. Socrates gives several examples of how various Gods might disagree and provide entirely different definitions of morality and piety. If piety is capable of different definitions depending on which God's love is sought, that is not a definition of piety in principle; rather it is the same thing as saying that the definition of piety is determined by which God provides the definition.

Euthyphro's Third Definition of Piety

"Yes, I should say that what all the gods love is pious and holy, and the opposite which they all hate, impious."