Socrates Unexamined Life Essay - 1621 Words

Why does Socrates think that the unexamined life is not worth living? Does he have a good defense of his philosophical life? As the wisest man in all of ancient Greece, Socrates believed that the purpose of life was both personal and spiritual growth. He establishes this conviction in what is arguably his most renowned statement: The unexamined life is not worth living. Socrates makes it quite evident through the severity of the language in this claim, the extent to which he will live and die for this ideal. He did not merely say that the unexamined life was not a noble existence or that it was the path of the less righteous, rather the unexamined life is just not worth living at all. Theoretically, according to his†¦show more content†¦This is the point at which it begins to become a task to understand how the examined life is at all aligned with the quest of the principles justice and virtue, when in reality it just leads to a state of confusion. The skepticism found within Socrates logic leads us to realize that he has no claims that he has answers, yet he is living and dying for the ideal that an unexamined life is not worth living. There is no point at which Socrates is looking for followers, much like a prophet would look for disciples, for his ideals appeal to reason, not faith. Although this may be the case, he has left his contemporaries, ancient and modern day philosophers, as well as any other students of his teachings in a complete paradox. For centuries, many have attempted to carve out a middle path between the severity of his claim on the examined life, and the predestined state of doubt that surfaces with the search for justice and virtue. In Socrates attempt to live an examined life, he put forth efforts to improve society as a whole. His method consisted of elenchus, rather than that of preaching or lecturing, because it was more effective to allow his notion of human ignorance to surface through a dialogu e than through a monologue of his claims. Socrates saw it his duty to lead a lifestyle in which he continued to unveil the false wisdom of his contemporaries. He considered his efforts to be a mere fulfillment of his obligation to the gods. For theShow MoreRelatedThe Unexamined Life Of Socrates1434 Words   |  6 PagesPaper 1 02 October 2014 The Unexamined Life Through several dialogues Plato gives readers accounts of Socrates’ interactions with other Athenians. While some may think of him as a teacher of sorts, Socrates is adamant in rejecting any such claim (Plato, Apology 33a-b). He insists that he is not a teacher because he is not transferring any knowledge from himself to others, but rather assisting those he interacts with in reaching the truth. This assistance is the reason Socrates walks around Athens, engagingRead MoreAn Unexamined Life Of Socrates1199 Words   |  5 Pages An Unexamined Life Lyndsey Emry PHIL 1381-17 Introduction to Philosophy Professor Bannister When studying Socrates, you the reader must come up with your point of view and take what Socrates is trying to teach into your own approach. You must also think why Socrates choose the words he choose. Socrates careful choice of words give much color to his quote, â€Å"an unexamined life is no life for a human being to live.† The word examined for example has many definitions, including: toRead MoreSocrates And The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living1097 Words   |  5 PagesEveryone has a life to live; however, there are quite different between the unexamined life and the examined life. In the word of Socrates,† The unexamined life, for a human, is not worth living†, â€Å"the unexamined life† means people have no question, they never question the life, and they don’t want to know about the truth, and they don’t know who they are. Those people just get up every day, go to work and go to sleep, keep repeating these and never wonder what is the meaning of their life. On the otherRead MoreSocrates: â€Å"the Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living†1943 Words   |  8 PagesSocrates was the son of common Athenians. His father was a stone-mason/ sculptor, his mother a midwife. Socrates was also a stone-mason by trade and was to follow in his father’s footsteps. It was still yet unknown to Socrates in his early years that his ‘career’ would be that of a philosopher. It is said he was pulled out of his workshop by Crito because of the â€Å"beauty of his soul†. Jobless and serving no direct purpose to the Athenian (Greek) society, Socrates was well known in the AthenianRead MoreIn the words attributed to Socrates in Plato’s Apology, â€Å"The unexamined life is not worth living.†1000 Words   |  4 PagesIn the words attributed to Socrates in Plato’s Apology, â€Å"The unexamined life is not worth living.† David Foster Wallace expands on this idea in his â€Å"Kenyon College 2005 Commencement Address,† pointing out the importance of awareness and escaping the natural, default-setting of an unconscious, self-centred life. While commencement speeches are typically epideictic—celebratory—in nature, Wallace takes a deliberative rhetorical stance. According to Fahnestock, deliberative discourse is used in orderRead More The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living Essay1051 Words   |  5 Pages Socrates was considered by many to be the wisest man in ancient Greece. While he was eventually condemned for his wisdom, his spoken words are still listened to and followed today. When, during his trial, Socrates stated that, â€Å"the unexamined life is not worth living† (Plato 45), people began to question his theory. They began to wonder what Socrates meant with his statement, why he would feel that a life would not be worth living. To them, life was above all else, and choosing to give up life wouldRead MoreThe Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living1344 Words   |  6 PagesLouis 1 â€Å"An unexamined life is not worth living† Imagine living a life without change, development and growth. Imagine living a life without any consciousness of what life has to offer. As mind-boggling as this may sound, there are actually many people on this earth that have not taken the effort to know themselves. People should be able to fairly judge their lives. Man should be able to gain wisdom by the examinations of the deeds they’ve done to prepare for the future. Life is no longer worthRead MorePlato s The Apology Of Socrates874 Words   |  4 PagesIn Plato s â€Å"The Apology of Socrates†, Socrates states, â€Å"the unexamined life is not worth living† and he would rather be put to death them stop his practice of philosophy (The Apology). In this writing, Socrates is charged with not accepting the gods recognized by the state, devising new gods, and corrupting the youth of Athens. However, the word apology in the title is not our modern English interpretation of the word. The name of the speech ste ms from the Greek word apologia, which translatesRead More The Unexamined Life is Not Worth Living Essay1489 Words   |  6 PagesSocrates is correct when he says the â€Å"the unexamined life is not worth living† In order to discuss why Socrates is correct, I would like to discuss these various points which consist of: the significance as well as the underlying meaning of his quote â€Å"the unexamined life is not worth living†, the difference between an unexamined life and an examined life, specific examples, the importance of a person living an examined life and lastly, whether or not I’m living an examined life. Socrates was aRead MoreSocrate and the Examined Life1353 Words   |  6 PagesExamined life Adrian Eames 951105878 Section leader: Elizabeth Grosz The Trial and Death of Socrates takes place during a time in Socrates life where he becomes most reflective. During these final moments of Socrates life a theme arises, that of the unexamined life. Socrates claims that â€Å"the unexamined life is not worth living† (Apology 38a). Profound as the statement may seem it creates many questions; what is the unexamined life? And why is the idea of an examined life so dear to Socrates? It s