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Essay / The Importance of Examining Our Beliefs in Plato's Euthyphro
The Platonic dialogue entitled Euthyphro takes a close look at why it is important to question our beliefs and views on various topics. A key concept that emerges is the idea of Socratic questioning. As Socrates and Euthyphro's discussion discovers, Socrates believes that questioning is the only defensible form of teaching and, therefore, he continues to question Euthyphro's definition of piety. Therefore, Plato reminds his audience that we must examine our views even if the consequences are more suffering and confusion. In this aspect, Plato is right, because it is crucial that everyone considers their beliefs objectively to understand the type of actions they take and sincerely defend those actions. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Furthermore, it is important to know that clinging to a false assumption of certainty can make one unconscious of the true reality of the world. Yet individuals cannot know this without subjecting their opinions to rational scrutiny. There are many cases where beliefs can be progressive and expand life by opening up new possibilities. Alternatively, these beliefs can also be harmful and limit a person's life by limiting what they think they are capable of. The type of person we are today and what we have accomplished are a direct result of the beliefs implanted in each person's mind. Beliefs are therefore essential to understanding our development as an individual. The ideas we hold to be true play an important role in controlling the things we do in life and, therefore, the level of success we believe is possible to achieve. For example, consider that if we had never gone to college, the best we would have ever gotten would be to take a low-paying job. If we didn't go to college and stick to this belief, then working in an unfulfilling job would likely be our situation for the rest of our lives. However, we must consider the stories of those who did not have a college or university degree and yet became successful individuals. By questioning the initial belief that you need a degree to be successful, the person's perspective begins to change, as do their actions. These actions include seeking higher-paying jobs or developing their own business instead of settling for the lowest possible outcome. The notion that our actions are created by our beliefs is explored further in Euthyphro. As Socrates discusses the meaning of piety, Euthyphro's first response is that "that which is loved by the gods is pious, and that which is not loved by them is impious." Yet, Socrates attempts to explain Euthyphro's reasoning by describing that being approved by the gods is an example of either becoming such or being affected by something. For example, if the gods all agree on an action as pious, it would be because they said so, not because it is pious in its pure form of piety. However, not all gods can accept that an action is holy. So Socrates concludes: “So the beloved is not pious, Euthyphro, nor is the pious loved by the gods, as you claim, but one is different from the other. » By questioning Euthyphro's initial belief regarding the concept of piety, Socrates shows that his definition does not fully explain why this action is good, but rather it tells us that.