In the course of this dialogue, it is evident that Euthyphro does not know what piety is, and thus that he cannot teach Socrates what it is. Yet Socrates, in the second half of the dialogue, keeps urging Euthyphro to teach him. I have italicized some of the key ideas Socrates is expressing.
For example, on page 14, near the top of the page, Socrates says, “I am eager as you are to find a way to teach me about piety, and do not give up before you do.”
Later on page 15, in the middle of the page, Socrates says, “Try in this way to tell me what part of the just the pious is, in order to tell Meletus” (one of his accusers at this trial, which we read next),” not to wrong me anymore and not to indict me for ungodliness (impiety), since I have learned sufficiently what Godly and pious and what is not.”
At the end, on page 19, Socrates says – after yet another failure by Euthyphro to explain what piety is – “concentrate your attention, and tell the truth. For you know, if any man, does, and I must not let you go, like Proteus (see note at bottom of page 19) before you tell me. If you had no clear knowledge of piety and impiety you would never have ventured to prosecute your old father for murder on behalf of a servant. . . . but now I know well that you believe you have clear knowledge of piety and impiety. So tell me, my good Euthyphro, and do not hide what you think it is.”
Euthyphro does not continue, claiming it is time for him to go.
Socrates concludes: “By going you have cast me down from a great hope I had, that I would learn from you the nature of the pious and impious. . . (and that) I had acquired wisdom in divine matters from Euthyphro. . . .”
To repeat, since it is so evident that Euthyphro does not know what piety is, and thus cannot teach Socrates what it is, why do you think that Socrates continues to urge Euthyphro to teach him? Socrates, by his refutations, shows that Euthyphro does not know what he is talking about. So why doesn’t Socrates just tell him that, that he doesn’t know what piety is? What good might there be in Socrates’ repeatedly asking Euthyphro to teach him what he obviously cannot teach him?
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