Essay Example on A Life Worth Living: Socrates' Theory of an Examined Life

Socrates was often viewed as the wisest man in ancient Greece. Although he constantly faced condemnation for his wisdom, Socrates’ words still find their relevance and in the current age. When he faced trials, Socrates stated that 'the unexamined life is not worth living (Deren, 2016). After that, people began questioning his theory as they wondered about the meaning of the statement. As such, an unexamined life is no life for a human being to live.

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According to Socrates, the statement implied that unexamined human life is often deprived of existence's purpose and meaning (Deren, 2016). For instance, becoming a full human denotes the application of some highly developed thought faculty in raising the human existence above the existence of a mere beast (Stranjalis, 1993). When humans don't think they do not become more than animals, they eat, procreate, and sleep.

An examined life is essential, just like the seed required sunlight, soil, and water for germination. It is necessary to note that the understanding of life experiences enriches a personal engagement with the universe and with self. For instance, Mahatma Gandhi highlighted the importance of a person's reflection on life (Stranjalis, 1993). Based on Socrates' reasoning, living implies having the capability of questioning of the surrounding world. Examining the surrounding world gives a person the utmost freedom. In an event where an individual understands himself, he can develop the ability to understand and control his life (Deren, 2016). As such, it is essential to note that the purpose of life is basically to grow, both spiritually and physically (Stranjalis, 1993). An increased exploration and understanding results in some in-depth understanding of the surrounding world and generally ourselves.

Overall, Socrates was aware that he lacked wisdom since he had examined himself as well as others who had been considered wise and nowhere had he discovered wisdom that he was seeking. As such, wisdom related to the right way to exist as well as the knowledge of some particular excellence that is essential for the nature of human beings (Stranjalis, 1993). Individuals have to exanimate themselves each day to discover the meaning of life since it is known that human beings are living a life of experience. We must understand who we are and what we do to be able to live a better life.

Without individual examination, people would lie and blind themselves (Deren, 2016). This implies that a person may not know whatever he/she does is wrong or right. However, no individual is perfect as they are prone to mistakes (Stranjalis, 1993). Thus, when a person does not conduct some self-examination, he may be unable to rectify his or her shortcomings. When people fail to examine themselves, they become frustrated; thus, they become highly frustrated and likely to step back into a sinful life as well as a world of darkness.

On the contrary, when individuals continue to think they are doing things the right way, they tend to presume that they are good and perfect. As such, they are likely to feel that there is no need for changing, correcting, or simply doing things differently. Such a thought makes people feel self-satisfied (Stranjalis, 1993). It is essential to note that time passes and changes each day. A person who fails to make changes to adapt to the situational changes that come to life permits bad things to be experienced in their lives (Deren, 2016). In case a person fails to change, he/she is likely to be left behind, thus finding the way out by himself or herself. Frustrations, unhappiness, and hopelessness follow the lives of such individuals.

It is essential to note that individuals can only find the meaning of their existence when they continually seek it. As such, living a worthy life entails movements and letting change to be a lifetime tradition. However, it is essential to note that examination within a lifetime does not entirely imply some healthy and worthy life. For others, the examination is considered as an act of doing things with some inferior motives or maybe harming other people.

Moreover, the person with great virtue, the examination is aimed at gaining the knowledge necessary for seeking some common good, primarily to enrich the immoral soul (Stranjalis, 1993). It could be deduced that examining life with some bad purpose and unexamined life does not guarantee happiness in life. Again, examined life to find happiness and life meaning must always be anchored on the virtue of a man.

Socrates, for instance, noted that the good is always to discuss virtue daily. As such, a worthy life is determined by an individual's ability to examine his/her life but fails to satisfy it with the resources he/she has (Stranjalis, 1993). Again, one can live a worthy life when he/she ceases to seek improving goodness, happiness and being closer to the perfection of the soul. Concisely, the unexamined life is not worth living when it fails to enrich the soul in other ways (Deren, 2016). Individuals may not be able to find happiness or live good lives when the examinations are not anchored on their virtues, enabling life to become worthy of living.

Moreover, in the event of living and finding the worth and meaning of life, one is often unable to solely examine his life but rather the others around him as well. It is important to note that each living organism in the world must live within a society (Deren, 2016). Without society, a person incapable of defining himself in the best way possible. Again, a person who lives separately may not define himself better thus may end up in feelings of grandeur.

Most importantly, Mahatma Gandhi, for instance, was able to map his vulnerabilities and weaknesses through both examinations as well as the questioning of his understanding and prejudice as a human being (Stranjalis, 1993). In the current times, the statement still holds. For example, human beings are currently burdened with colonization, war, erosion, and morality erosion characterized by technological and scientific advancements. As demonstrated above, the examination does not only help in finding happiness but also encourages knowledge acquisition (Deren, 2016). For example, Socrates attended public gatherings not only to ask but also to challenge others as well. Through seeking the opinions of the other members of society, we can learn what is acceptable and applicable in our daily lives.

It is at these times when humans need to delve into finding the purpose for their existence as well as engaging in some meaningful way within the society (Stranjalis, 1993). It is also important to acknowledge that the growth in consumerist culture and the fast-changing societies result in less time left for humankind to examine the changes. As such, it could be agreed that if an examined life comprises little investigation, a larger population of humans is ignorant beasts.

Conclusion

Lastly, it is worthy to note that when a person examines his individual life and disintegrates it from others, he is deprived of sensitiveness to the real truths of human existence. As such, the person is likely to be devoid of intentional destiny. Concisely, the phrase life worth living triggers the notion that there is a benefit of life without examination of life. Life examination is essential for both spiritual and personal growth (Stranjalis, 1993). Again, we are unable to grow towards an in-depth understanding of our true nature until we can time for self-reflection and examination. The unexamined life is not worth living when it fails to enrich the soul in other ways.

References

Deren, M. D. (2016). Maintenance of Certification." The unexamined life is not worth living."--Socrates. Connecticut Medicine, 80(3), 185-186. Retrieved from https://europepmc.org/article/med/27169306

Stranjalis, G. (1993). The unexamined life is no life for a human being. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 86(10), 562. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1294131/