I've been reading Plato's dialogues on Socrates...?

Question

Last semester I took my first Philosophy class. We studied Plato's dialogues on Socrates for a big portion of the class. I plan on taking some more philosophy classes next semester so I am reviewing what I studied last semester to prepair. I'm new to philosophy and am still trying to figure things out.

In the Euthyphro i'm trying to figure out the elenctic method. Do you think it is a useful method or problematic?
Personally I think it's a good tool to use, but I can't figure out WHY I think this. It can cause some problems. How does socrates use the 'elenchus' to refute the definitions of piety that Euthyphro gives?

Do you have any other good points about the Euthyphro? Any other discussions?

Answer 1

The 'elenchus' is not singular to the Euthyphro, but the general dialectic form of Socrates method of conversing toward an end understanding. He uses it to show the force of an argument which contradicts an assumption of someone he is discussing a subject with (and sometimes that the persons original assumption contradicted itself).

There are (by my recollection) at least 7 defintions of 'piety' given in the Euthyphro, and Socrates uses Euthypro's own reasoning (or the vagueness thereof) to show that each falls short.

The final points of this dialogue are last ditch efforts by Socrates to get Euthyphro to admit his ignorance about divine things, and thereby be "better for the rest of his life" (though this is what Socrates says he himself is missing out on).

Answer 2

UGH, I had to take philosophy classes in college and hated it so very much. I wish I could help you but I passed all my philo classes with a C, and that was only because I showed up for every class (and didn't nod off). Good luck!

Answer 3

To first argue a element in an Elenistic maner may well be aggressively oppositional. Social grace is best to winning an arguement universally alongside with validity. you may furnish a valid arguement from the middle greater effectively particularly than attack it from the contest at contemporary.