‘The unexamined life is not worth living.’ Socrates

Socrates: a biography Born 469BCE in Athens, Greece. No recorded works yet one of history’s most influential philosophers. We know of Socrates through the writings of his student Plato. Often described as rotund and ugly, he was known for talking to anyone and engaging them in philosophical debate. His commitment to philosophy meant that personal hygiene came second place- he was often barefoot and dirty and had very few possessions.

Socrates: a biography Socrates aim was not to tell others the truth – he often claimed to be ignorant of it himself – but rather to help them discover it for themselves as best they could.

Socrates and Euthyphro We are going to be learning about a very famous argument in moral thinking between Socrates and Euthyphro. We know about it from Plato’s writing in The Last Days of Socrates. It all kicked off when Socrates asked Euthyphro what he thought was ‘right’ (or ‘holy’ which was one way of describing it in those days).

Why Euthyphro? Euthyphro was taking his father to court for the mistreatment of a slave (so he must have been a moral dude). Socrates was on trial for the ‘crime’ of stirring up trouble in the city’s youth – he could face the death penalty for this. Socrates was going to be executed for doing something ‘wrong’ so wanted to find out what ‘wrong’ actually meant.

The Euthyphro Dilemma During the debate Euthyphro suggests that what is right is what the gods would be pleased with. Socrates ends the argument by asking Euthyphro if the gods command what is right because it is right or if it is right only because the gods command it.

Introduction The Euthyphro Dilemma ‘Are actions ‘good’ simply because the gods command them or do the gods command certain actions because they are ‘good’?’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSHHXqjXCV4

The Dilemma (or horns) Should religious people do things their god(s) commands them to do even if they otherwise think what they’re being asked to do is wrong? Or, should they doubt that the command has come from their god(s) if they believe that the command is wrong?

Euthyphro’s Problem Suppose Euthyphro was hanging about and hears a godlike voice telling him to kill the next person who passes him. He is convince he has heard the voice of god(s) and he has been brought up always to obey the commands of god(s), because they only command what’s right. Should he kill? Even if he thinks it is wrong (which he does) surely god(s) wouldn’t command it if it was wrong?

Discussion If there was such a thing as god(s) do you think he/she/it/they would command you to do something which was wrong?

But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.  [spoken by Jesus]    (Luke 19:27 NRS) Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances.  We will not obey the king's words by turning aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left."  When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein, according to the king's command.  When Mattathias saw it, he burned with zeal and his heart was stirred.  He gave vent to righteous anger; he ran and killed him on the altar.   (1 Maccabees 2:21-24

the LORD say to the other men, "Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked.  Show no mercy; have no pity!  Kill them all – old and young, girls and women and little children.  But do not touch anyone with the mark.  Begin your task right here at the Temple."  So they began by killing the seventy leaders.  "Defile the Temple!" the LORD commanded.  "Fill its courtyards with the bodies of those you kill!  Go!"  So they went throughout the city and did as they were told."  (Ezekiel 9:5-7 ) Psalm 137:8-9 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

Morality and Killing Is killing right or wrong? Would god(s) command it? This depends on who you ask… Some people say that ‘no killing’ is an absolute rule – it never wavers and always applies. Other people say that ‘no killing’ depends on lots of things and so it is a relative rule – it depends on the situation.

Time Out: Think, Pair and Share Is there anything which you think is always wrong no matter what? Or, is what’s right and wrong related to the situation?

Some possible responses! It is wrong in theory to kill, but sometimes the situation demands it. It is wrong in theory to kill and so it is wrong to do it no matter what the situation. It is theoretically right to kill in certain situations and so right to actually do so. It is theoretically right to kill in certain situations but is actually wrong to do so. NB: this also applies to those who have viewpoints independent from religious beliefs.

Discussion Is it more important to do the right thing if you believe in an afterlife?

Divine Command Theory Divine Command Theory: you should follow all commands you are given from god(s) without question. Euthyphro’s dilemma raised the issue of how god(s) are linked to right and wrong. Most religions today think their god(s) are perfectly good meaning that they always do what is good and expect the same from followers (often with use of the carrot and stick).

So how do religious people ‘hear’ from their god(s)? Directly as a voice/vision or a sense of presence. Indirectly through the interpretation of something that happened. An answer to a prayer. The study of sacred texts. The teachings of a member of the faith group. Historical teachings. And can these ways be trusted?

No easy answer For religious people finding out what’s ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ is a complex matter. Some choose to cross-check a few features of their faith together to find answers. What religious people do with what they think god(s) is telling them is related to two further key ideas in moral-decision making we’ll be learning about: Autonomy and Heteronomy.

Time Out: Think, Pair and Share What makes something good? Outcome? Intention? Something else?

The Last Days of Socrates Socrates never found a solution to the Euthyphro dilemma and what makes something ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. The Athens court could not explain what ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ were either, but nevertheless Socrates was sentenced to death.

Socrates: a biography The trial and execution of Socrates, dramatized by Plato, has inspired many thinkers and artists through the centuries. Considered to be a dangerous and subversive influence, he was eventually arrested and charged with refusing to acknowledge the gods of the state, introducing new ones and corrupting the young.

Socrates: a biography Socrates was condemned to death by drinking hemlock, he refused a chance to escape and, surrounded by his friends, embraced death with great dignity. Socrates died in 399BCE, Athens.

The Death of Socrates, by Jacques-Louis David (1787).