What exactly do atheists mean when they talk about the ‘Euthyphro Dilemma’? The Euthyphro Dilemma comes from one of Plato’s famous dialogues (see image) and it has had various forms over the centuries. Transposed to a modern monotheism it reads as follows: ‘Is something that comes from God good because it comes from God or does God choose the good because the good is good?’
- What is the Euthyphro Dilemma?
- What is problematic about both positions of the Euthyphro Dilemma?
- Dilemma
- Unsolvable dilemma
- Isn’t there a third option?
- False dilemma
- Biblical option
- What is the conclusion (from a Biblical perspective)?
What is the Euthyphro Dilemma?
The Euthyphro dilemma can be formulated as follows:
Is the good good because God wants it or does God want the good because it is good?
This modern formulation was written by the world-famous atheist philosopher Antony Flew (1923-2010).¹
What is problematic about both positions of the Euthyphro Dilemma?
Dilemma
The term ‘dilemma’ in the present case refers to a choice between two alternatives, which are equally unattractive. Both positions are difficult. In the first case, God’s commands are arbitrary. After all, God could just as well have determined that hitting your wife was good and helping an old lady cross the street was bad. In that case it is completely unclear in what sense God could be rational, wise or good. In the second case there is a moral standard that is independent of God, as it were, transcends Him and which He apparently cannot change. This in turn is difficult to reconcile with his omnipotence and sovereignty.
Unsolvable dilemma
Fig. 1 / Source: Martin Sulman
Through the Euthyphro dilemma, atheists think they have shown that good is either above or below God (see Figure 1). You can also express it as follows: the Euthyphro dilemma shows that for morality God is unnecessary or inadequate. Superfluous, because a moral standard exists apart from God. And inadequate to determine what is good and bad, since God has arbitrarily determined what is good and evil. As a result, no moral principle is self-evident.
Isn’t there a third option?
False dilemma
The Euthyphro dilemma is a false dilemma. Two options are outlined from which you are forced to choose, while there is a third option. The third option is that good is based on the nature of God. God appeals to nothing but his own character for the standard of what is good and then shows what is good for us. It is wrong to lie because God cannot lie (Titus 1:2) and not because God first had to discover that lying was wrong or because he arbitrarily determined it.
Biblical option
Fig. 2 / Source: Martin Sulman
Both positions of the Euthyphro dilemma ignore the Biblical option, where God is inherently good and He reveals His nature to us. For a Christian there is therefore no dilemma, because neither position of the Euthyphro dilemma represents Christian theology.
What is the conclusion (from a Biblical perspective)?
Considering the above, the dilemma falls short as it does not take into account the nature, essence and character of the perfect God of the Bible, who is eternal and unchangeable in all His attributes. Goodness, like His other attributes, flows from His being, the ultimate Good (see Figure 2). Good is neither above nor below God (cf. Mark 10:18; 1 John 4:8; Psalm 33:5). Good is based on the nature of God. Objective moral values are grounded in God’s nature. The two options presented by the atheist in the Euthyphro dilemma constitute a false dilemma.
Note:
- In late 2004, Flew changed his position on the existence of God and has since embraced a form of deism.
read more
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- The Flying Spaghetti Monster (VSM): a failed parody
- Ex-atheists: Former atheists who became theists
- Evidence enough… What is actually known about Jesus?
- God’s omnipotence: ‘Can God make an unliftable stone?’