Which of the following concepts of holiness did Socrates lead Euthyphro to refute?

Socrates leads Euthyphro to refute the concept that holiness is a kind of trading with the gods, illustrating a philosophical inquiry into the nature of piety. In the dialogue, Euthyphro initially suggests that holiness involves performing actions that please the gods, which implies a transactional relationship between humans and deities—essentially treating piety as a service that one provides to gain favor or rewards.

Socrates challenges this view by questioning whether something is holy because the gods love it, or if the gods love it because it is holy. This distinction is critical; if holiness were merely about trading favors with the gods, it reduces the concept to an arbitrary set of agreements that could vary depending on the whims of the deities. By examining and refuting this notion, Socrates guides Euthyphro to seek a deeper understanding of holiness that goes beyond mere transactions, thus emphasizing the need to grasp the essence of virtue rather than treat it as a bargaining tool.