Final answer:
Hesiod does not directly judge the gods but portrays them with human flaws, encouraging reflection on their morality. Greek philosophers like Socrates later questioned the morality of the gods and the basis of ethics, leading to debates on whether ethics are divine or independent of the gods.
Step-by-step explanation:
To what extent does Hesiod cast moral judgment on the gods? Hesiod, through his works like the Theogony, provides an account of the gods that includes instances of morally questionable actions such as deception, infidelity, and other human-like vices. While Hesiod does not explicitly cast moral judgment on the gods, the portrayal of these figures with human flaws suggests a critical perspective on divine behavior and prompts the reader to question the ethical nature of these myths.
The Greek society sought a stable moral order akin to the hierarchy among the gods, but found contradictions and immoral tales within their myths. This led to philosophers like Socrates questioning if there were universal ethical standards that even the gods must adhere to, thus initiating a larger discourse on the nature of ethics and morality, separate from divine decrees. The discussions focused on whether morality is an expression of the divine will or if it exists independently of the gods. This was a significant shift from attributing all actions, good or evil, to the divine, to seeking reason-based ethics.