Higher RMPS
The Euthyphro dilemma
Learning intentions
After today’s lesson you will be able to:
• explain the background to the Euthyphro dilemma
• explain the Euthyphro dilemma
• explain the terms ‘absolute’ and ‘relative’ morality.
The background
• Euthyphro was a man who brought his father to court for
killing a slave. Euthyphro was adamant that this action
was wrong and his father should be punished according.
He believed his father’s action was impious or unholy.
• Socrates is a famous philosopher who is believed to
have been responsible for the start of philosophy.
• Socrates wanted Euthyphro to define the terms ‘pious’
and ‘impious’, for which he wanted his father charged.
• Euthyphro defined piety as ‘what is pleasing to the gods’.
But Socrates responded…
with what has become
known as the Euthyphro
dilemma when he said…
Socrates
‘is something pious because it is pleasing to the gods or
is it pleasing to the gods because it is pious?’
In other words…
• Is something good because God says it is good or does
God say it is good because it is good?
A Problem for Christianity?
If it is good because God says it is good, does this
mean that God could change his mind about what is right?
If it is good because it is already good then is there a higher
moral authority than God?
Divine command theory
There are lots of people who have done things which are
considered bad but have done them because they
genuinely believed that God wanted them to do it and they
believe their God is always right therefore their action
was right.
Can you think of any examples?
This leads us to think about
absolute morality
• If something is wrong or right no matter what, this is
called an absolute.
• For example, some people believe that it is always
wrong to kill people.
• They may argue that people have a right to life.
And relative morality …
• Some people believe that moral questions depend on
the circumstances, in other words they are relative to
the situation.
• So in most circumstances it would be wrong to kill
people, but in some circumstances it may be the right
thing to do.
• For example if someone is going to die but they will do
so in great pain and suffering it might be right to kill them
quickly to minimise the suffering they experience (mercy
killing).
William Lane Craig
• He states that the euthyphro dilemma is a
false dilemma and argues that “God wills
something because he is good.
– William Lane Craig (Christian Apologist)
– i.e. God is the definition of good, he is
intrinsically good.
Learning check…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Explain in your own words the background to the Euthyphro
dilemma.
Describe the Euthyphro dilemma.
Explain how you would answer the Euthyphro dilemma.
Explain the term ‘absolute morality’.
Give three examples of things which you think are always
wrong.
Explain the term ‘relative morality’.
Explain how you decide what is right and wrong.
3KU
3KU
4AE
2KU
3KU
2KU
4AE
Quick recap
The Euthyphro dilemma asks:
Is something good because God says it is good or does
God say it is good because it is good?
The Euthyphro dilemma emerged after a conversation
between a man called Euthyphro and Socrates about a
definition of what is holy or pious.
If something is wrong or right no matter what, it is
called an absolute.
If moral questions depend on the circumstances
they are relative to the situation.