Euthypro
Euthypro has clear vision of terms “pious” and “piety”. Like he said, “piety is doing as I do, prosecuting your father (if he is guilty) on a charge of murder; doing as the gods do--as Zeus did to Cronos, and Cronos to Uranus.” He provided strong support of his view, but still could not convince me. I think there should be more clear ways to explain not only this, but many other terms. People should have general criteria to answer questions like “what is love?”
At first, there should be direct definition. However, it is hard to create it even for material objects. I can describe a table that other person would not understand it is a table. There is even more complicated situation with love. One man would say it is “when butterflies are flying in your stomach”, while the other one would describe chemical processes linked to this feeling. People should avoid such complicacy and create the general definition that would fit for every member of the category. The term should be free from the “reverse problem” that confronted Euthyphro. “If that which is holy is the same with that which is dear to God, and is loved because it is holy, then that which is dear to God would have been loved as being dear to God; but if that which is dear to God is dear to him because loved by him, then that which is holy would have been holy because loved by him.” The description should have the same meaning both in active and passive forms.
The answer should contain general definition and adjustments. People can use their experience and knowledge to add the last part. However, adjustments should not contradict the general definition. It is easier to say about material objects, because person needs to describe their functions and some features, like shape or structure. . For example, shovel is a tool for digging soil with wooden handle and metal blade. Person can add there are several types of shovels. To answer about nonmaterial terms, like “good”, “evil” or “love”, person should use the definition that is popular in current society. Than he or she can add own vision of the topic. It is better to use only general definition, if own opinion is exactly opposite and person does not have a strong basis to support it. For example, love has many definitions, but it generally can be described like physical and spiritual appetence between two persons. In adjustments person can add information about changes in perception caused by this feeling. However, if you think love is the most destructive event in life, while most part of the society believes it is the greatest gift, you should confine yourself with general definition. It would be right, because you will answer to another question by adding your opinion. It will be not “what is love?”, but “what do I think about love?”.
Bibliography
Plato, “Euthyphro”, accessed Jan. 30, 2016, http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1642/1642-h/1642-h.htm
