Is the Unexamined Life Worth Living?
The meaning of life has been debated and discussed since mankind first began to comprehend its own existence. Countless theories, hypotheses, and explanations have been formulated in attempt to satisfy generation after generation of people. Regardless of one’s view of the meaning of life, it is widely understood that life, without a target or goal, becomes tiresome. Some might venture to say that this kind of life is not worth living. Whether a life is or is not worth living is a very weighty matter, bound to be subject to many differing opinions. Socrates, regarded as one of the founders of Western philosophy, stated in Apology that the unexamined life is not worth living (Plato 41). According to Socrates, …show more content…
One of the ideals of ancient Greece is the concept of flourishing, or eudaimonia, which can be understood in simple terms as thriving as a human being. Flourishing is ongoing, not fleeting; the happiness must be achieved over a long period of time. Socrates believed that the most important step to reaching happiness and flourishing is true self-knowledge. In this regard, it is thus imperative to continually examine oneself and understand that the journey has no end. One must always keep their eyes open. Not one person is perfect, and if one decides to shut their eyes to new self discovery, they will fall back into darkness. When new situations arise, one will not be able to find a way out because they are now blinded. Time will always pass and people and situations will change, if one is not keeping up, all these will catch up to and devour them. Though life may seem perfect at one moment, it will not remain so for long. Frustrations and unhappiness will begin to make themselves known if one’s view on life is stagnant. If people maintained the same mind set regarding themselves and the world that they formulated when they were young children and teenagers, their lives would be without goals and devoid of purpose. One must follow the twists and turns of time and life and continually evaluate oneself in order to live a worthy life, or else fall victim to living a life devoid of meaning and
The meaning of life has been debated and discussed since mankind first began to comprehend its own existence. Countless theories, hypotheses, and explanations have been formulated in attempt to satisfy generation after generation of people. Regardless of one’s view of the meaning of life, it is widely understood that life, without a target or goal, becomes tiresome. Some might venture to say that this kind of life is not worth living. Whether a life is or is not worth living is a very weighty matter, bound to be subject to many differing opinions. Socrates, regarded as one of the founders of Western philosophy, stated in Apology that the unexamined life is not worth living (Plato 41). According to Socrates, …show more content…
One of the ideals of ancient Greece is the concept of flourishing, or eudaimonia, which can be understood in simple terms as thriving as a human being. Flourishing is ongoing, not fleeting; the happiness must be achieved over a long period of time. Socrates believed that the most important step to reaching happiness and flourishing is true self-knowledge. In this regard, it is thus imperative to continually examine oneself and understand that the journey has no end. One must always keep their eyes open. Not one person is perfect, and if one decides to shut their eyes to new self discovery, they will fall back into darkness. When new situations arise, one will not be able to find a way out because they are now blinded. Time will always pass and people and situations will change, if one is not keeping up, all these will catch up to and devour them. Though life may seem perfect at one moment, it will not remain so for long. Frustrations and unhappiness will begin to make themselves known if one’s view on life is stagnant. If people maintained the same mind set regarding themselves and the world that they formulated when they were young children and teenagers, their lives would be without goals and devoid of purpose. One must follow the twists and turns of time and life and continually evaluate oneself in order to live a worthy life, or else fall victim to living a life devoid of meaning and