According to Plato there is no meaning to holiness because we can not define it. I accept that. Like any new word to us, we seek first its definition from an authorized source like a dictionary. Definition is a basic step in order for us to understand and completely acquaint us with the word. Only then can we form in our minds its exact concept and from there its application and constant use of it. I believe what Plato meant was how could one treat holiness without one having sufficient knowledge to define it, much more understand and defend his position with regards to it.
Knowledge is not only about accurate answers, it is also the capacity to comprehend situations and the ability to explain convictions. With sufficient knowledge, one can make informed choices. Euthypro prosecuted his father because he believed that to prosecute a wrongdoing was holy. Socrates doubted Euthypro fully knows what holiness meant so he engaged Euthypro in a discussion. Euthypro muddled with his answers, so Socrates knew that Euthypro knew basically nothing about holiness.
One man’s meaning is not a barometer for the true and accurate definition of holiness. Still, with man’s limited means and imperfections as we were not created with infinite knowledge, we can only go by with what our capabilities and abilities permit. Holiness to one may only be slightly holy to another and may not be holy at all to yet another. Going by the premise of Plato that holiness has no meaning if it can not be defined, could also mean that holiness is a personal thing. How one defines it, his understanding and stand on holiness is what holiness is to him.
The Term Paper on True Opinion Knowledge Plato Meno
Plato's View in Human Knowledge Plato presents three different views about knowledge in Meno, Republic, and Theaetetus. In Meno's case, Plato believes knowledge as something innate in us when we are born; in his later view, in Republic, Plato believes we perceive things and gain knowledge; and from the last view, in Theaetus, Plato believes knowledge is the combination of a true opinion and a ...
Reconciling that with the what the others mean about holiness must be left to the authorities. In the time of Euthypro and Socrates, the final arbiter was Zeus. Today, church scholars and government legislators are the authors of our laws. It is their definition and meaning that must be followed and believed to be right. The learned and the unschooled, each have their own definition and meaning of holiness. This is accepting of the truth in Plato’s premise that holiness has no meaning unless we can define it.
