unexamined life is not worth living essay

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The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living Essay

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Socrates’ claim that the unexamined life is not worth living intends to cultivate the thinking capability of humankind. This claim means that the ability of human beings to conceptualize, question various issues as well as reflect thoughtfully determines the success of their lives. Through this, people can creatively and critically analyze every aspect of life. Socrates’ intention was to encourage humanity to have critical thinking, and not just accepting and believing anything that seemed unrealistic or unreasonable.

Furthermore, through examining the various concepts and ideologies of life, one can develop cognitive capabilities. This enables them to understand the notions of philosophy regarding facts about life effectively. Some of these concepts include truth as well as cultivating self-correction and questioning the various happenings in their surroundings. Furthermore, one can give reasons in regards to their beliefs. Through this, one can acquire and develop a concrete understanding regarding one’s understanding of the worldly occurrences (Thomas).

In regards to the ancient knowledge, Socrates argued that living a meaningful life was based on critical thinking. Furthermore, Socrates emphasized the need for one to examine own life. This mode of the examination should be approached ultimately based on a methodological doubt as proposed by Descartes.

To live up to his saying, Socrates lived an examined life. He was a man of convictions so strong that he lived a life full of the pursuit of the truth, wisdom, piety, knowledge and life according to God’s will. During his trial, as seen in the Plato’s Apology, he defended himself for the life he lived and believed. Socrates’ life was not only right by all means but satisfactory both to those that he interacted with and to himself (Thomas). He began by questioning what true knowledge is. This was directed to those who were considered to be the wisest in Athens. He further argued that true knowledge is not the true wisdom since it does not lead to a life that has been examined.

Socrates believed in true wisdom acquired through being curious (Thomas). The wisdom he had was gained by studying the lives of others as well as his. This was because he never had pride in his personal knowledge compared to those considered wiser. Rather, he believed in a supreme being and the desire for an examined life in a selfless manner. According to his belief, an examined life is best spent when seeking internal spiritual as well as wisdom. This also involves questioning and examining other people’s lives and finding the right state of the soul. His words justify this that he went around doing nothing except the persuasion of both old and young to put little care on their wealth or body. Instead, their preference should be directed in the best way possible, to the state of their inner soul (Julian).

Furthermore, he challenged those who thought had wisdom. Helped them to understand that whatever they were searching for in life did not lead to complete satisfaction and real knowledge. He believed that the right way to live was by asking questions, seeking clarification and answers. He argued that he ought to do the right thing even if it was going against the law. According to him, a command from God is of greater importance than the state’s dictates.

Besides, Socrates refused to live a different life even as it meant losing his life. Furthermore, he refused to escape death because that seemed like going against the law. He further holds fast to his values and principles even during the trial. Plato, Socrates’ student also lived an examined life, evident as he stated that if he had money; he would have proposed a fine though he did not have money (Julian). He went ahead to ascertain to his accusers that he would not yield to any of them concerning anything wrong, even if it meant losing his life, just like Socrates.

The argument by Socrates that unexamined life is not worth living has different implications. When taken at the point of view of someone who neither knows nor does not care to look for it, it is senseless. This is due to various people living a normal life happily and simple without bothering to question what Socrates asked. However, when considered from a curious person’s point of view, it makes a lot of sense; when taken from an inquisitive person’s perspective, it is very sensible. This is because such people have the desire of understanding and the passion of knowing the true wisdom. When such people live a life without pursuing true wisdom, their lives seem unfulfilled (Stack).

Though Socrates argument makes a lot of sense, it is too bold for everybody to accept it completely. This is because his thinking is based on those who have the knowledge and not considering those who do not have the curiosity. It cannot be accepted ultimately because many people live fulfilled and happy lives without questioning the happenings in the world. This makes their life simpler, satisfying and peaceful, unlike Socrates who died for being inquisitive and sticking to his principles.

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Socrates: 'The unexamined life is not worth living.'

The unexamined life is not worth living.

The quote, "The unexamined life is not worth living," attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, carries a profound meaning that invites us to examine our own existence and choices. Socrates believed that a life devoid of introspection, self-reflection, and critical thinking is essentially meaningless and lacks value. This quote emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and questioning one's beliefs, actions, and purpose in life.At a glance, this quote encourages individuals to engage in self-reflection to discover their true passions and values. When we take the time to examine our lives, we become more aware of our desires, dreams, and aspirations. By questioning our thoughts and actions, we gain a deeper understanding of our motivations and the impact they have on ourselves and those around us. Through self-examination, we can align our lives with our authentic selves, leading to a sense of fulfillment and purpose.However, looking beyond the surface meaning of this quote, it also connects to a broader philosophical concept known as existentialism. Existentialism delves into the deeper questions of human existence, transcending the simple act of self-examination. It explores the meaning of life and the power of individual agency in creating one's own purpose.Existentialists argue that humans possess free will and must take responsibility for their actions and choices. They contend that life doesn't inherently have a predefined meaning or purpose but that individuals can create their own meaning through conscious decision-making. This concept challenges the notion that self-examination is solely about discovering one's passions and aligning with them, but rather about actively forging one's own path and defining their existence.When we incorporate the existentialist perspective into Socrates' quote, it adds a layer of complexity and depth. It invites us to not only examine our lives but also to actively shape and create them. Instead of merely accepting the circumstances we find ourselves in, we are called to take charge and become co-creators of our reality. By doing so, we can find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in even the most challenging and uncertain situations.While the existentialist perspective might seem overwhelming or burdensome to some, it presents an opportunity for personal growth, self-discovery, and liberation. It challenges us to confront difficult questions about our values, beliefs, and the impermanence of existence. By accepting the responsibility to create our own purpose, we transcend the limitations imposed by societal expectations and cultural norms, enabling us to lead more authentic and fulfilling lives.Ultimately, Socrates' quote, "The unexamined life is not worth living," acts as a catalyst for self-reflection and self-discovery. It invites us to go beyond the superficial and to delve deep into the core of our being. By embracing the principles of existentialism, we recognize that we have the power to shape our lives and find meaning in the face of uncertainty. In doing so, we embark on a profound journey of personal growth and self-actualization, turning the examined life into one filled with purpose, passion, and genuine fulfillment.

Socrates: 'Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.'

Socrates: 'death may be the greatest of all human blessings.'.

Socrates: Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living Report

Introduction.

During his trial at Athens, Socrates said, “Unexamined life is not worthy living” (Baggini). Socrates was tried in court for having encouraged his students to challenge the accepted beliefs or traditions in society (Stern 16). The court gave Socrates several options to choose from, to go in exile, remain silent, or face execution (Stern 18). Socrates chooses to be hanged instead of running away or being silent. He argues that there is no point in living without awareness of what is around you by questioning (Stern 30). Socrates made a decision to be hanged since he believed that living a life where one could not evaluate the world and look for ways of making it better was not worth living. Because of his decision, Socrates was sentenced to death (Stern 30).

By saying that “unexamined life is not worthy living”, Socrates was referring to freedom, a state of making choices about your surrounding, a state of choosing your destination, having the freedom to criticize issues, setting your goals in life, and deciding whether what you are doing is right or wrong (Baggini). In general, Socrates was referring to individuals having the opportunity to understand or know themselves. An examined life is taking control of your life.

To Socrates, life imprisonment would make his life not worth living. This would take his freedom away; he would not have an opportunity to decide what was right or wrong for him (Stern 15). He would no longer examine his environment, nobody would assess his ideas, and neither would he determine his destination. Examining once life is an opportunity to acquire freedom. Having a chance to examine your own life presents you with opportunities to control your life and choose your destiny.

In very simple terms, the unexamined life is a situation in which an individual is not open to question what is around them and what they do (Stern 13). Living unexamined life is living a life, which is not unique, a life that does not reveal new perspectives or ideas; it is a life that has not been appreciated by others in any way (Baggini).

ConclusionIn addition, it is important for individuals to know what is right and wrong in their life. For instance, individuals need to identify their success and failures as well as the reason for the kind of life that they live (Baggini). Socrates chooses death over a confined life because he believed in self-evaluation and knowledge. His choice of death rather than running away or silence is a message that we should appreciate what we believe in rather than living the way other people do or want us to live (Stern 20).

Works Cited

Stern, Paul. Socratic rationalism and political philosophy: An interpretation of Plato’s . New York: Sunny Press, 1993. Print.

Baggini, Julian. The unexamined life is not worth living . 2005. Web.

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Home — Essay Samples — Philosophy — Socrates — The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living: Analysis

The Unexamined Life is not Worth Living: Analysis

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Quote Analysis: The unexamined life is not worth living

• Quote Analysis: The unexamined life…

Socrates believed that living a life where you live under the rules of others , in a continuous routine without examining what you actually want out of it is not worth living.

This illustration of a lifestyle is what Socrates would describe an unexamined life. Hence Socrates’ renowned statement “The unexamined life is not worth living”. Declaring that humans must scrutinize their lives in order to live a fulfilled one isn’t agreeable to any extent.

Socrates’ statement does instigate discussion, but it doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone’s way of life and what makes or doesn’t make their life worth living. The theory that all lives that are unexamined don’t have a purpose and should not be lived is unreasonable and simply not true.

There is a lot more that contributes to a person’s happiness and well-being besides “examining their lives”. Factors such as life experiences, being with family, things to be thankful for, memories, and reaching success in life. Everything that makes one happy, and a happy life should most definitely be lived whether its examined or not.

Epicurus’ philosophy on happiness , is composed of three things; good companionship (friends), having freedom (being self-sufficient and free from everyday life and politics) and an analysed life (meaning to have time and space to think things through). Epicurus and Socrates have different approaches to the phrase “analysing life”.

Epicurus would advise not to spend money as temporary relief for a bad day but rather take time out and reflect and contemplate. Socrates on the other hand has a different stance. Epicurus believes that analysing your life is one third of what it takes to have a happy life whereas Socrates believes that if you are not constantly reviewing and examining every aspect of your life just so you can get the best out of it, it’s not worth living in general.

De Montaigne was one of the most significant philosophers of the French Renaissance and is best known for his skepticism. De Montaigne would’ve had an advancing degree of doubt and disagreement on Socrates’ statement that “the unexamined life is not worth living”.

Socrates said that having a mechanical life with an unthinking routine, under the rules of others without ever examining whether or not they truly want to live with those routines or rules is basically not worth living anymore. However, De Montaigne had a contrary belief on what bring our lives happiness and what makes them “not worth living”.

He believed that human have a tendency to over-think things and that’s mainly where our unhappiness comes from. To be happy De Montaigne knew that we didn’t need intelligence and brain facts, we required wisdom and life experience. De Montaigne urged us to live the best lives we possibly can by simply not worry about our appearance, accept our own and everyone else’s culture, and always endeavour to become wiser.

De Montaigne had quite the opposite approach on how to live a happy life to Socrates. Socrates believed over analysing and examining our lives would lead to better ones, whereas De Montaigne would advise us to spend less time over-analysing and overthinking things as it leads to insecurities that we are all far better off without.

Socrates statement “The unexamined life is not worth living”, is an exaggeration and is predominantly false but does have a degree of truth to it. We must occasionally question ourselves and the world, as otherwise we will act without reason, and be unable to distinguish between good or bad actions, and without this way of thinking Socrates might argue we are no better off than animals.

But with this statement, Socrates promotes the idea that people who don’t examine their lives should not live. Socrates seemed to overlook other factors that account to our happiness and give worth to our lives. In disagreement with Socrates; We all must contemplate now and again but only to a certain extent, as it can be disastrous to overthink and reconsider every aspect of our life.

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14 Comments

I think that the examined life is and integral part of existence. Who would not promote self reflection and self examination? These are key in psychotherapy, most if not all religion/practices as well as self help programs.

Let us reflect on our own life – the only one we can truly experience – and not be over (or under) whelmed by the lives of others. Let us all recognize ourselves in the context of our humanity to ourselves and to each other. Let us look within ourselves to find happiness and purpose rather than in the distractions of comparison and acquisition that consume so much of our human time. Let us take the time to reflect on our own being within the framework of all-being and not separate our self from life.

One does not negate the other. Clearly this thesis portrays the authors lack of understanding of Socrates.

So true. Thank you.

Not only does one not negate the other, but is very possible that the examined life takes one on a road away from family and other default unexamined “virtues” that are in fact socio-cultural cliches that do not stand up under scrutiny. Running with the herd is only a virtue if it is in fact a deliberate choice stemming from the examined life. The reality is that it is indeed possible–and highly likely, in fact–that living the examined life (a la psychotherapy, or contemplative hermit, or religious, or just an assertion of personal freedom) will diverge from the herd and one needs to have the courage for the adventure of being to go one’s own way. That Socrates’ life exemplified, not pabulum/bromide about being “safely” tucked in with the herd. To paraphrase Fromm, “It is better to live a single day as a tiger than a whole lifetime as a sheep.” He didn’t mean that in the political sense but in the sense of living as a full human being. Living fully in the experience of the courage to be human is to live the examined life. Failing to do so, that life is not worth living.

It is not an exaggeration; therefore, neither false..

Socrates was arguing that happiness derived from delusion is fleeting, shallow, and worthless. Happiness from an examined life has far more value.

But if the person experiencing the “shallow” and “worthless” happiness is truly happy, why should someone else tell them to be happier? Or live a different way?

You mention that: “The theory that all lives that are unexamined don’t have a purpose and should not be lived is unreasonable and simply not true. There is a lot more that contributes to a person’s happiness and well-being besides “examining their lives”. Socrates’ argument and yours are fundamentally different in that Socrates was not invoking happiness and well-being. Nay, he was killed for his unconventionality and clearly believed that meaning and purpose superceded happiness and well-being. For some, happiness and well-being are satisfactory drives for living, for others, meaning and purpose are fundamental. And it can be and has been argued that we did not evolve nervous systems for happiness (see TED talk – “The science of mindfulness” by Dr. Ron Siegel). Socrates was prescient and forward-thinking in that he understood that his transgressions were necessary to facilitate positive change within and across cultures. He almost certainly understood that his ostensibly negligent teachings would bring about his own destruction in pursuit of greater good and chose that path anyway. Our tendency toward groupthink, biases, and role confusion about the meaning of our lives is what he was getting at. Life being all about happiness and well-being is egocentric and self-serving, which is entirely your right to focus on. Some have a more nomothetic approach to understanding the functions of species, and some choose the idiographic approach. We certainly need both for each serves important purposes that partially overlap with and diverge from the other.

I don’t think either of the arguments given go against Socrates’ statement that, “an unexamined life is not worth living”.

Epicurus argues that the examination of one’s life is the most important thing after receiving all the essentials; all that is needed for proper survival. If this was translated into Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, it would take up the final two stages (after physical needs, safety and love). I don’t understand where your argument on wasting money as a temporary relief has its bases on, Socrates never advises that and it goes contrary to much of what he says.

De Montaigne argues against overanalyzing one’s life and the dangers it could bring: unhapiness. Socrates also doesn’t say anything about worrying about your appereances or on not accepting other people’s cultures. These arguments are not against Socrates, because he never argued in favor of them. It would also be hypocritical for Montaigne to argue against the analysis of ones life, (which he does not do), since that is what he does in ‘Essays’

What Socrates argues, at least how I see it, is that we should constantly question ourselves and the world around us so that we can understand what is essential. That doesn’t mean question ourselves on the same subject throughout our lives, but rather look at everything new and important happening to us and try to understand it, through observation . and analysis. I believe the three philosophers named here have very similar opinions on the importance of analyzing ones life, they just argued them in different ways using different words. Analysis paralysis is dangerous, and Socrates never argued in favor of it.

Socrates made this comment in response to a question as to why he could not simply remain quiet. He was talking about his own values, not applying this universally. If I say that life is not worth living without sports, then it doesn’t mean that anyone who doesn’t like sports is worthless or undeserving to live.

Maybe just report what Socrates said and the context in which he said it and let kids make up their own minds?

Didn’t Socrates state that “an unexamined life is not worth living for human beings”. If he was referring to his own values, as you say, wouldn’t he say something like, an unexamined life is not worth living for me.

There are several factors that deserve consideration: what does Socrates (via Plato) mean by “unexamined”, and “Life”, and “worth”. All of these are slippery terms, not helped by the fact that we are dealing with a translation from Ancient Greek language, and a bunch of ideas that may have had VERY different meanings in a small Mediterranean city 2500 years ago.

It is illogical to presume that Socrates would want the vast majority of people to not live. If, however, we view his (alleged) statement in terms of a regret, or an exhortation, then we can understand that Socrates would PREFER that people might take some time out to consider their existence in relation to some of the big questions… that applies as much today, as it did back then. Does “examination” of one’s life require an anxious OCD approach to each and every decision and action in relation to its philosophical consequences? Or does it rather require us to understand the socio-political forces that create our context, and the historical/cultural influences that shape our opinions, and to acknowledge these when we declare our position?

And when Socrates talks about a “life”, is he referring to the biography of an average Joe, or is he referring to a “Life” of a person who is fully and actively engaged in all creative and intellectual levels, as a kind of ideal person, being all that they can be?

This leads to the question of worth: this is an exceedingly relative term. Some things are valued more than others, by pawnbrokers, historians, governments, auctioneers. It depends on who is doing the valuing, and how they are defining the worth of the object. Zen teaches us that great worth can be found even in the most mundane and repetitive tasks, if you can summon the passions and engagement to seek a kind of perfection in what you are doing. The lack of “worth” Socrates may have been referring to could be seen to relate to the classic Marxian condition of “alienation”, whereby people are “just doing stuff” to get by and exist, and in so doing they kind of muddle through their lives, and unwittingly prop up stupid and abusive regimes.

In summary, we can’t really KNOW what Socrates may have meant by his statement. To suggest that it means that we have to either be angst-ridden navel-gazers, or unworthy of life, is a reductio ad absurdum, and an insult to the challenge that Socrates actually laid out: what might a reflective life mean? How might we live one? What benefits might it offer? How might widespread thoughtfulness influence the evolution of culture, society, mankind?

Please don’t reduce Socrates’ challenge to cheap intellectual snobbery on his part: have a think about what potentials may lie in his advice, if we’re prepared to nuance our own understandings of his terms.

This argument falls apart given the apparent utilitarian perspective on value of life.

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An Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living, Essay Example

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The most famous event in the history of the city of Athens after the Peloponnesian War consisted of the trial, conviction, and execution of Socrates (469 to 399 B.C.E), perhaps the greatest philosopher of the late 5th century B.C.E. Although Socrates as a philosopher focused his arguments and conversations on numerous topics, his passion seemed to lie in “discovering valid guidelines for leading a just life” and how a human being must explore his/her life and principles with an open mind (Martin, 1996, p. 168). His most quoted philosophical statement that “An unexamined life is not worth living,” ascribed to Plato in his Apology , has generated much controversy over the last two thousand years, mostly due to the idea that life is worthless without self-examination. Personally, I believe that Socrates was right and in this paper, I will prove his correctness with the help of several modern-day philosophical viewpoints.

First of all, I should mention that there are opposing voices to Socrates’ famous statement that an unexamined life is not worth living. For example, J. Miller in Examined Lives: From Socrates to Nietzsche declares that many people are so consumed by obtaining material goods in a capitalistic society that they have “devolved into non-thinking entities that have no idea on what true happiness is” and thus devote themselves to obtaining materialistic possessions without considering the true meaning of life. In effect, these individuals do not live examined lives because they see no need to do so and believe that the process of thinking is a diversion (2011, p. 243).

Also, there are those who believe that since Socrates lived in the ancient past that what he believed as a non-Stoic Greek philosopher has no bearing on modern living, customs, and traditions. However, as L.E. Navia, writing in Socrates: The Man and His Philosophy , points out, the philosophies of Socrates and especially his statement concerning an unexamined life “are more relevant today than ever before, due to Socrates’ devotion to seeking out the truth and living his life without material needs while always contemplating the virtuous and moral life” (1985, p. 162) of a true seeker of knowledge. By definition then, Socrates wished to understand not only his own existence but also that of the natural world around him which in the 5th century B.C.E. was viewed by most people as bound to the supernatural rather than true science.

In contrast, after consulting a number of reliable sources related to the life of Socrates and his philosophies, it is obvious that a vast majority of scholars, historians, and philosophers agree with the premise that Socrates was correct when he stated that an unexamined life is not worth living. As G. Kemerling relates, following his conviction at his trial in Athens by a jury of his peers, Socrates openly “declined to abandon his pursuit of the truth in all matters” and after refusing to accompany one of his devotees in an escape attempt, maintained that open “public discussions on the great issues of life and virtue” were needed in order for the common Athenian citizen to lead a valuable life. Also, when Socrates stated at his trial that he would “rather die than give up philosophy,” he allegedly declared that “The unexamined life is not worth living” (2011).

Thus, it appears that Socrates was completely committed to his quest for knowledge and wisdom that would allow him to explore his innermost thoughts and emotions via an examination of life itself. Socrates also believed that it was ignorant to view life as being full of unlimited power “to pursue whatever one desired,” a reference to gaining material goods, and that the “most desirable life was concerned with virtue and guided by rational thought” and reflection (Martin, 1996, p. 171), rather than focusing on achieving happiness through self-absorption, greed, and a lust for power and influence.

For some readers, defining the word “virtue” may help them to understand exactly what Socrates was saying in relation to “the most desirable life.” According to S. Zannos, writing in The Life and Times of Socrates , virtue can be defined as a quality of moral excellence, righteousness, and social responsibility, highlighted by absolutes like goodness, justice, beauty, and equality (2001, p. 183). But for Plato, one of Socrates’ disciples and students, virtues “cannot be discovered through experience; rather, they can only come about by thought” and contemplating the “invisible, invariable, and eternal entities located in a higher realm” beyond what humans view as reality (Martin, 1996, p. 179). The key word here is “thought” or as Socrates would have it, a deep examination of the self and how a human being fits into this “higher realm” of contemplation.

At his trial, Socrates addressed his jury and those who had him arrested for trying to influence the young people of Athens with some eye-opening comments concerning his inability to convince them that leading a virtuous and examined life was the only way to live. “The greatest good of man,” declared Socrates, “is to daily converse about virtue” and to examine not only oneself but also others (Phillips, 2012). But unfortunately, Socrates was ignored and ridiculed for his views that often went directly against the teachings of the Sophists. Thus, Socrates “preferred death to a life lived in thoughtlessness” and lacking virtue (Phillips, 2012). Of course, Socrates was only addressing men and not women via the Greek translation that “The unexamined life is not worth living for men.” But otherwise, Socrates wished for all Athenians to examine their individual lives and hopefully make decisions based upon rational thought rather than superstition.

As further support for the suggestion that Socrates was right concerning his view that the examined life was not worth living, P. Kalkavage relates that Socrates fully understood the power of knowledge and that it must serve as the foundation for being virtuous (2012). For Socrates, knowledge was closely linked to wisdom that can only be achieved through deep, introspective thought and by conversing with others that possess the same and opposing viewpoints. When Socrates was allowed to cross-examine his detractors at his trial, he discovered that none of them truly understood the nature of virtue, thus making it impossible for them to comprehend the idea that an unexamined life leads to ignorance rather than fulfillment (Kalkavage, 2012).

Also, the people of ancient Athens could not ignore the great temples in their city and scattered about the Greek countryside dedicated to the gods and goddesses of myth and lore. One such temple dedicated to the Greek god Apollo was located at Delphi, and inscribed on this temple were the words “Know thyself” which is directly related to an examined life. Certainly, to “know thyself” was paramount to obtaining Socratic wisdom and for Socrates’ desire to “convert other individual citizens to his own knowledge of ignorance and quest for wisdom” via an examined life (Kalkavage, 2012).

In summation, L.E. Navia in Socrates: A Life Examined declares that Socrates’ ideal of the examined life is worthy of great study, due to its relevancy after more than two thousand years and the fact that a life without introspection is “dull, useless, and wholly unacceptable” (2007, p. 247). Therefore, I am convinced that Socrates was right when it comes to living a life without examining one’s inner self that in the end will lead to enlightenment and contentment.

Kalkavage, P. (2012). Who is Socrates? Thoughts on Plato’s Apology. Retrieved from http://faculty.pepperdine.edu/mgose/GBQuarterly/winter00/whoissocrates.html

Kemerling, G. (2011). Socrates: Philosophical life. Retrieved from http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/2d.htm

Martin, T.R. (1996). Ancient Greece: From prehistoric to Hellenistic times . New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

Miller, J. (2011). Examined lives: From Socrates to Nietzsche . New York Farrar, Straus, & Giroux.

Navia, L.E. (1985). Socrates: The man and his philosophy . New York: University Press of America. —. (2007). Socrates: A life examined . New York: Prometheus Books.

Phillips, B. (2012). On being human and the unexamined life. Retrieved from http://circeinstitute.org/2012/07/on-being-human-the-unexamined-life

Zannos, S. (2001). The life and times of Socrates . New York: Mitchell Lane Publishers.

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The Unexamined Life Is not Worth Living - Essay Example

• Subject: Philosophy
• Type: Essay
• Level: College
• Pages: 1 (250 words)
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Extract of sample "The Unexamined Life Is not Worth Living"

The paper "The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living" is an outstanding example of an essay on philosophy. The quotation from Socrates means that life to have value should be examined, reviewed, and remunerated. There are diverse issues to be expounded on: firstly, from whose perspective should one’s life be deemed valuable? Secondly, who should do the examination of life that should be taken insignificance? And thirdly, as human beings, should the reason for living to be taken as a universal perspective or that from the point of view of the individual? To address these concerns and to clearly explain the quotation, the point of view that should be taken is the individual’s perspective where one’s life is deemed valuable when activities and endeavors are pursued the improvement of the wellbeing of others – not only of oneself. 

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