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‘Socratic’ Compassion

In the Trial of Socrates, the author Stone I.F advocates that Socrates’ lack of compassion for the “poor landless laborer” is clearly evident through Plato’s Euthyphro, and argues that this lack of sympathy for the servant allegedly blinded Socrates to a flaw in the whole argumentation which ends up in a deadlock. He supports his arguments by providing the following reasons. Firstly, the writer believes that the entire episode of Euthyphro is in the pursuit of an inconclusive definition of piety or holiness, which in itself is different from the problem at hand- whether or not Euthyphro’s actions were justifiable in bringing his own father to trial. Secondly, Stone claims that Socrates’ behavior in the Euthyphro is unsympathetic, as he shows no signs of empathy for the “poor landless laborer” in the entire episode, and concludes that it was not “pious” for the poor laborer to be left in the cold to suffer. Ultimately, Stone also believes that Socrates’ lack of compassion is also shown in his attitude towards Euthyphro, whom he portrays to be a “superstitious fanatic”, and is totally inconsiderate towards understanding Euthyphro’s mental mindset. Though Stone does put forward some good arguments and draws meaningful analogies (like the references to Orestes), he appears to be one-sided in his arguments in supporting Euthyphro, and his criticism, however well-minded, misses the point.   Hence, I disagree with Stone’s viewpoint that Socrates’ lack compassion for the laborer led to a flaw in his entire argumentation.

Stone does have his strengths in the article presented. He is accurate in pointing out the fact that nowhere in the article, has there been signs of pity shown for the poor laborer, and is also strict in claiming that it wasn’t “pious” or “just” to leave the poor laborer in a ditch for a crime that he may not have committed intentionally. In other words, Stone has rightly recognized the fact that in the entire conversation with Euthyphro, Socrates is...