The Positive Role of Elenchus in Plato’s Euthyphro

This paper offers an interpretation of the method of investigation in Plato earlier dialogues through a careful analysis of the method of elenchus in Euthyphro. I argue that elenchus is a method of securing propositional definitions by identifying predicative middle terms that provide a probative explanation for given propositions. In Euthyphro, Socrates leads Euthyphro towards uncovering the coextensive properties of piety as being loved by all the gods and being beneficial to human beings. These coextensive middle terms point us toward a positive conclusion that the essence of piety is justice.