Episode 323: Debate Me 'Phro

Episode 323: Debate Me 'Phro

From Very Bad Wizards by Tamler Sommers & David Pizarro

December 23, 2025 · 1h 8m · Episode 323

About this episode

David and Tamler discuss Plato's Euthyphro and the nature of piety while exploring themes related to Oliver Sacks and philanthropy.

David and Tamler dive into Plato's Euthyphro, part of our intermittent Back 2 Basics series. A young cocksure priest, confident in his holiness, bumps into Socrates on his way to court to prosecute his father for a wrongful death. After a few rounds with Socrates on the nature of piety, he becomes a little less sure of himself. We talk about Plato's decision to set the dialogue in the days before Socrates' own trial, the famous Euthyphro dilemma, the seemingly little progress that's made in defining piety, and much more. Plus Oliver Sacks wrote books where the truth seemed stranger than fiction, but how much of what he wrote was really true? Oliver Sacks Put Himself Into His Case Studies. What Was the Cost? by Rachel Aviv [newyorker.com] Plato's Euthyphro [wikipedia.org] We are teaming up with givedirectly, and a whole bunch of podcasters to help families in Rwanda. While match funds last, your donation will be 1.5x matched, meaning every $100 donation will turn into $150 for families in need. Go to givedirectly.org/wizards if you find it in your heart to give a donation.

People in this episode

Hosts: David, Tamler Sommers

Topics covered

  • Plato
  • Euthyphro
  • Socrates
  • piety
  • philosophy
  • Oliver Sacks
  • donation

Keywords

  • Euthyphro
  • Socrates
  • piety
  • Plato
  • Oliver Sacks
  • philosophy
  • donation
  • givedirectly

Sponsors

givedirectly

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: newyorker.com, wikipedia.org

Books & works: Plato's Euthyphro, Euthyphro dilemma, Oliver Sacks Put Himself Into His Case Studies. What Was the Cost?

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