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Section 8

SOCRATES. Then what subject of disagreement is it that we are unable to resolve with a standard, which causes us to become enemies and grow angry with one another? Perhaps you don't have an answer ready. But while I speak, consider whether these subjects are the just and the unjust, the beautiful and the ugly, the good and the bad. Are these not the subjects about which, when we disagree and are unable to reach a satisfactory decision, we fall into enmity with one another—both you and I and all other men?

EUTHYPHRO. Yes, Socrates, that is the disagreement and those are the subjects.

SOCRATES. And what about the gods, Euthyphro? If they disagree, must they not disagree about these very same things?

EUTHYPHRO. Necessarily.

SOCRATES. Then according to your argument, noble Euthyphro, different gods consider different things to be just, beautiful, ugly, good, and bad. For they would not be quarreling with one another unless they disagreed about these things, would they?

EUTHYPHRO. You are right.

SOCRATES. And whatever each of them considers beautiful, good, and just, they also love, and they hate the opposites?

EUTHYPHRO. Certainly.

SOCRATES. But the very same things, you say, are considered just by some gods and unjust by others, and as they dispute about them, they quarrel and make war. Is this not so?

EUTHYPHRO. It is.

SOCRATES. Therefore, the same things are both loved by the gods and hated by the gods, and so they would be both god-loved and god-hated.

EUTHYPHRO. It seems so.

SOCRATES. And so the same things would be both pious and impious, Euthyphro, according to this argument.

EUTHYPHRO. I suppose so.

SOCRATES. Then you did not answer my question, admirable friend. For I did not ask you for something that happens to be both pious and impious at the same time. But what is dear to the gods is also hated by the gods, it seems. Therefore, Euthyphro, what you are doing now by punishing your father may be pleasing to Zeus, but hateful to Cronos and Uranus; dear to Hephaestus, but hateful to Hera; and similarly for any other gods who disagree with each other on the matter.