I am perplexed by how piety and impiety are discussed in respect to the Greek Gods, considering the disruptive relationships between the Greek Olympians as portrayed in early Greek mythology. (Which was, likely, what Socrates (Plato) was getting at in Euthyphro?) Most famously, Zeus, and his morally confusing depiction in Greek mythology. Zeus, father of the Gods and ruler of Olympus, shares one thing in common with Euthyphro: the betrayal of his father. In a deliberate act of defiance Zeus overthrew his father, Cronus', rule over Olympus which, to some extent, undermines familial and paternal values. He then spent much of his marital life frolicking around with women other than his wife, Hera, which I'm assuming was morally questionable in Athens' mostly monogamous society. I'm not entirely sure where this leaves Zeus', and therefor the Greek's, familial values... which, in turn, make Euthyphro's dialogue all the more confusing... Though I understand that Zeus, for the most part, was considered as a loving paternal deity who cared wholesomely for the less fortunate, and was an advocate for fairness among mortals, I am confused by the examination of piety and impiety in relation to the God's, considering their behavior in mythology could often be likened to the same faults as mortals (Given these examples of Zeus in mythology) ...
In summary, what we (generally speaking) consider as moral and immoral today most likely doesn't parallel with what Athenians regarded as pious or impious. Thus, considering Zeus' behavior in the very mythology that defined religion for Athenians, I could potentially assume that the betrayal of Euthyphro's father wouldn't necessarily have been as damning or shocking in Athens as I was originally under the impression it would have been, based on text/class discussions. So what are we really supposed to make of Euthyphro's decision to indite his father, and Socrates' resulting surprise? What are we supposed to make of the Athenian court and its values that were so often closely tied with the perceived values of the Gods? Interesting.
I know there must be something I'm missing, either in Greek mythology or Athenian culture or, most probably, both. Ideas?
The two factors that come to mind first for me in this cognitive dissonance are: Greek endogamy and Greek religion-as-practice. Rather than an example of double-think, where the Greek gods can do no wrong despite doing obvious wrong, Greek myth seems exegetically to resemble more allegory/fable than moral code/scripture. Divinity takes priority as a discernible trait, and the non-literal social implications of myth have to be teased out with that buffer of divinity-as-different in mind. Zeus operates on a clear double-standard to heroes (what is acceptable for a god to get away with does not end well for many mortals). Also, the endogamous Greek families were insular and duty-bound (to the best of my knowledge?). Much of Euthyphro’s oddity comes from his indictment occurring in the face of a clear hierarchical divide (the father a citizen and the servant as a servant, contrasted with the slave finally lowest) and social indifference (why is he, of all people, the prosecutor?).
ReplyDeleteI was also perplexed by the fact that the court was willing to damn Socrates for his teachings but not necessarily have a problem with Euthyphro prosecuting his father. Why could God's do wrong but mortals could not? Why did Euthyphro use Zeus to determine pious acts from impious acts if Zeus himself is not necessarily a morally just person? I think that, in today's society, pious and impious are now classified as moral and immoral because God is a depiction of faith instead of someone who approves or disapproves.
ReplyDeleteAudrey's last sentence is opaque to me. Perhaps we can discuss it.
DeleteDevin is right about the different standards for gods and mortals; this is not surprising.
ReplyDeleteRegarding sexuality, it is fair to say that whereas the Greeks were reproductively monogamous (a Victorian aura of chastity envelopes the household), erotic relationships with those of one's own sex were normal, even honored. It's complicated.