Socrates then replies with the creation of a dilemma -- would the things and people be considered pious because they are loved by gods, or would the gods all love them because they are pious. After a deeper process of thought, Socrates himself defines piety as a species of the genus 'justice, but Euthyphro insists on defining piety based on what the gods like. Piety is eventually described as knowledge and prayer, to the benefit of the gods (Plato).
It is often argued that ethics has its origins in religion, which means that whenever an individual is facing a moral dilemma, they would be able to find the answer in invoking the Divinity. Nevertheless, religion is often conflicting and history has provided numerous examples in this sense, such as the Crusades for the Holly Grail or the tortures of the Inquisition.
A relevant situation of ethical dilemma is represented by the act of taking life. Under normal circumstances, such an action is forbidden, but the Church has also accepted the killing of the enemy during war time. Additionally, killing to defend one self is often forgiven by the Church, as the worldly impersonation of the Divinity.
In such a context then, the problem raised when invoking the gods, or God, is represented by the relativity of each situation....
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