When Do Differences Create Enmity and Anger?

When do differences create enmity and anger?


This is what Socrates asks Euthyphro.  First, Socrates considers whether differences about numbers lead to enmity: "Suppose for example that you and I, my good friend, differ about a number; do differences of this sort make us enemies and set us at variance with one another?  Do we not go at once to arithmetic, and put an end to them by sum?" (Plato, 388)


We do, answers Euthyphro.


Socrates considers some other possibilities: differences about measurements, or how much something weighs?


Euthyphro agrees that we also have means by which to resolve these disagreements with one another.


Socrates continues: "But what differences are there which cannot be thus decided, and which therefore make us angry and set us at enmity with one another?  I dare say the answer does not occur to you at the moment, and therefore I will suggest that these enmities arise when the matters of difference are the just and unjust, good and evil, honourable and dishonourable.  Are not these the points about which men differ, and about which when we are unable satisfactorily to decide our differences, you and I and all of us quarrel, when we do quarrel?" (388)


In other words, human beings will be reasonable and work out agreements about many things.  They don't set out to make enemies where they can press on together.  But about matters of what is just or unjust, they will struggle to find means to "satisfactorily" decide the differences.  Being satisfied is key here.  Deciding that someone else's measurement is more accurate is a much easier step than renouncing one's sense of good and evil in favor of another's.  We hold very close to our heart what we deem to be good and just.