Socrates is correct when he says the “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 “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 a Greek philosopher who lived from 469-399 B.C.E. Socrates believed that Philosophy was primarily a social activity, which in fact he made use of quite often. He would find himself roaming the streets of Athens questioning the youth or just anyone who would give him the chance to talk to them. Furthermore, Socrates questions drove people absolutely insane, until the point of absolute consternation if you will. He tried proving a point which is quoted “Look, here we are, two ignorant men, yet two, men who desire to know. I am willing to pursue the question seriously if you are” (Palmer, 31).Ultimately, this meant that the person Socrates was questioning actually didn’t know anything at all, just as well as Socrates himself, so which for the both of them would remain in search of the truth.
Upon being put to death for teaching false doctrines and corrupting the youth of Athens. Socrates said something before being put to death that would eventually be known as one of the most illustrious quotes throughout philosophy, which would seem to echo into the generations to come. Socrates said the “the unexamined life is not worth living” (Palmer, 33). The significance to this statement can be interpreted in many different ways but despite its ambiguity; it’s primarily viewed in the same way. “The unexamined life is not worth living” as stated by Socrates means that if you don’t make the most out of your life where the opportunity is available and knowledge is limitless, than you might as well not live at all if you don’t care enough to examine the things that are right in front of your face.
So in essence, your life is meaningless and you might as well not even live, if you just go with the flow with things and just take everything for what it is, and whatever else it may throw at you. If you never ask questions to help you obtain knowledge to be intelligent instead of being completely oblivious to the world around you, then really what good is your life if you don’t care? The next point I want to elicit is the difference between an unexamined life versus an examined life. A person who lives an unexamined life is very nonchalant about things, and totally disregards everything in life except for them-selves. It’s almost as if there just here for the ride and there going to take it as far as they can without doing anything to better themselves as a person.
A prime an example of a person who lives an unexamined life is someone who doesn’t go to school to learn...