The Euthyphro is a must-read dialogue—but why?
It is fundamentally “a dialogue about piety,” as Dcn. Garlick describes it, serving as an exploration of what piety truly means through a conversation between Socrates and the unorthodox Euthyphro. Dr. Frank Grabowski emphasizes its value as “a wonderful introduction to Platonic philosophy, Platonic literature,” highlighting how it features Socrates as the central figure and showcases “the Socratic method” in a clear and engaging way. The dialogue is also a wonderful introduction to Socratic irony and the Platonic ideas.
The dialogue is short and largely straightforward. Its accessibility lies in its apparent simplicity that hides its multiple layers—allowing everyone from complete novices to experts to enjoy this dialogue. For many, it’s the first Platonic work encountered, often bundled with the Apology, Crito, and Phaedo as depictions of Socrates’ last days.
Here is everything you receive in the guide:
A 18-page guide (9000+ words) that explores the dialogue deeply
An introductory letter from Dcn. Garlick
Preliminary reading questions to help you or your small group track key themes
A very detailed outline of the entire dialogue
25 robust questions on the text
If you want to understand Euthyphro, then you’d be hard-pressed to find a better introduction than this guide. Also, the guide incorporates insights from Leo Strauss on Plato’s Euthyphro, a tremendous resource (and discussed on the podcast).1 Be sure to check out our entire Ascend library on Plato.
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Introductory Letter by Dcn. Garlick
“One cannot settle any Platonic question of any consequence by simply quoting Plato.” Leo Strauss2
Dear Ascend Book Club Member,
The Euthyphro is a beautiful dialogue. It is about piety—a subject alien to our modern imaginations. It is a dialogue that stretches our own presuppositions and challenges us to take seriously the question of the gods and their nature. The most famous aspect of the dialogue is the so-called “Euthyphro dilemma,” which asks whether the gods adhere to an objective standard of piety or whether piety is whatever the gods will. The dilemma, however, is not limited to piety but presents a fundamental contrast between a metaphysical realism and a voluntaristic view. It is a dilemma at the center of many of our cultural debates.
Below is the full guide available to download. A tremendous resource!