Plato: Euthyphro and Apology - Dissertation Example

Pla Euthyphro and Apology Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo by Plato has been well-known for the attempt by Socrates and Euthyphro to pin down a definition for piety. In fact, Socrates insists on the immense importance of definition in this work which has led to the charge of the Socratic fallacy in the world literature. In a reflective exploration of whether Socrates is correct, in the context of the Euthyphro and the Apology, to place such an emphasis on the definition of words, it is essential to maintain that Euthyphro admits, at the end of the dialogues, that his definitions have been failure.

One of the major reasons for Socrates’ insistence on importance of definition is that it is only through a clear definition of a concept that one can teach others on the concept. In his rejection of Euthyphro’s definition of piety, Socrates emphasizes this reality and establishes the crucial role of definition in comprehending an idea in full. It is important realize that Euthyphro is not able to clearly define the concept of piety to Socrates and the latter regards the former’s teachings as of no meaning to him.

In reality, Euthyphro fails to say what he really means, and his dialogue becomes meaningless. In our practical life too, an understanding of a concept is of no special use if we cannot accurately define it and present it to our audience. A definition is also essential in a dialogue to avoid ambiguity or vagueness of explaining the meaning of an idea or concept. As Socrates puts it, “I think you could have answered my main question in many fewer words, Euthyphro. It’s clear to me now that you didn’t really want to teach me… If you had only answered me, by now I would have learned the nature of holiness from you.

” (Plato, 19) Therefore, it is fundamental to establish that, Socrates is correct to place such an emphasis on the definition of words because a definition helps one in clearly suggesting what one means. Work Cited Plato. Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo. Agora Publications, Inc. 2005. P 19.