Plato's Euthyphro

This dissertation explores the elenchus, Socrates' method of inquiry and examination, as presented in Plato's definitional dialogues, specifically in the Euthyphro. The work is divided into three parts:

Part One: Theories of the Elenchus

• This section provides a foundation for understanding Socrates' method by examining various theories of the elenchus.
  • Chapter 1: Analyzes the seminal view of Richard Robinson, who is one of the key figures in the study of the elenchus, offering a classical interpretation of Socratic questioning.
  • Chapter 2: Outlines the development and aftermath of Gregory Vlastos' constructivist view, which posits that Socratic questioning is a method of constructing knowledge through a dialogue of conflicting positions.
  • Chapter 3: Focuses on Socrates' own testimony about the elenchus in the Apology, where he defends his method as a divine mission to question and examine the beliefs of others.

These chapters establish a variety of perspectives on the elenchus that provide a foundation for comparing how different interpretations fit with Socratic practice.

Part Two: Commentary on the Euthyphro

• The second part shifts to a detailed analysis of the Euthyphro, one of Plato's early dialogues.
  • The commentary examines how Socrates' method of questioning operates in the Euthyphro and highlights key features of the dialogue.
  • It argues that neither the constructivist nor the non-constructivist accounts of the elenchus presented in the first part fully capture the nature of Socrates' approach in this specific dialogue. The complexity of the Euthyphro suggests that a more nuanced understanding of Socratic questioning is necessary.

Part Three: Technical Destructivism

• The final part introduces the author's own interpretation of the Socratic elenchus, termed "technical destructivism."
  • This view aims to offer a clearer and more accurate solution to several problems that arise when trying to reconcile the various alternative theories of the elenchus.
  • Technical destructivism focuses on the dismantling or deconstruction of interlocutors' definitions and beliefs through a process that is systematic and intellectually rigorous, suggesting that Socrates' method goes beyond mere contradiction to engage in a deeper examination of assumptions and concepts...