Socrates : The Unxamined Life Is Not Worth Living

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, engaging in conversation with anyone that he can convince to converse with him. An assertion he makes at his trial in Plato’s Apology is at the center of what drives Socrates in his abnormal ways, “the unexamined life is not worth living for a human being” (38a). Socrates, through aporia, looks to lead an examined life to perfect his soul and live as the best person he can be. This paper looks to examine the ‘unexamined life’ and the implications rooted in living a life like Socrates’.

Socrates was a pompous man who believed that he was wiser than most, if not all, Athenian men of his time. He is also credited as one of the fathers of western philosophy, his own philosophy revolving around the welfare of one’s soul and reflecting on what the good life was. He was told by an oracle that he was the wisest of men and spent a great deal of time trying to prove it false, he decided that he was considered wise for accepting that he knew nothing, and never claimed to know anything that he questioned. In Plato’s text “Apology” Socrates is depicted as a man who was arrogant, hypercritical of others, and fixed on his ways no matter the consequences. He had the qualities of a man who saw no error in what he was doing because he

In his time I imagine that culture and morals were not too favorable to a ‘’wise’’ man pushing others to go beyond what they taught them as good or bad. Where others were intellectuals and more attached to the power and glory. The Philosophy of Socrates was misunderstood, annoying to others and a threat for some. When you read the apology of Socrates however briefly, it is clear that he held in his belief and at the same time preaching his innocence and his knowledge with humility. I believe he wanted to be an example that others could follow.

Socrates once said “The unexamined life is not worth living”. In essence, this explicit statement was a challenge to all of us. A challenge to live a life guided by reason. We make choices every day. I believe that Socrates priority was to explain to us that with the power we have to think, and understand ideas using logic is how we break away from living an unexamined life. By thinking with reason, we develop great values, and we stray away from unwarranted

Socrates says, "The unexamined life is not worth living" So he is saying that his life of following rules under careless authority is just a life not worth

During the time period in which he said this quote, Socrates felt as though those in his community weren't cognizant of the injustices occurring around them. He compares himself to a gadfly in an attempt to defend himself and help others understand his purpose for his actions which was to help them understand right from wrong. And essentially sting life into Athens. Moreover, Socrates pretended to be uneducated on many topics so he could ask the opinions of others and strike conversations. To me this quote means Socrates wanted Athens to wake up, open their eyes and simply think, be a philosopher! Have ideas and form arguments rather than be the sluggish horse who has no worry for such discussions. This kind of attitude is also expressed

“I appear to be wiser than he, because I do not fancy I know what I do not know.” Plato’s Apology. Socrates was known to be one of the worlds greatest philosophers. In the famous dialogue, written by Socrates’s pupil, Plato, we are portrayed with an even more influential and strong minded Socrates. In this dialogue Socrates is put to trial amongst the people of Athens, where he is accused of atheism and corrupting the youth. Socrates delivers not much an apology, but a monologue justifying his actions. Through Plato’s depiction of his late teacher, Socrates, we reflect on three things that he is accused of, but also three things he indoctrinated within Athenian youth and today’s society.

Why? These individuals thought they were wise, but in reality, they were not wise; this made them appear foolish in the eyes of Socrates. Therefore, Socrates concluded that the oracle was truthful: Socrates was the wisest of men. But why is this? Socrates explains that “I am better off than he is – for he knows nothing, and thinks he knows; I neither know nor think that I know” (Plato, 2006, para. 7). Yet Socrates explains further the importance of us recognizing that we know little. He states that “only God is wise … the wisdom of men is worth little or nothing” (Plato, 2006, para. 10). This is a significant aspect Apology because Socrates realized that in order to understand his value and purpose as a man of wisdom, he must fully examine, question, and define certain aspects of not only his life, but also of society. And in the end, he realized that the only reason he is wise is that he understands that he actually isn’t wise because human wisdom is practically worth nothing compared to God’s divine wisdom.

Socrates has a sound and exacting standard of what real knowledge should be, and therefore knows how far short he and all the rest of them come to reaching that standard

Trying to be humble and denying his believes would probably be the right strategy, but Socrates just stays true to his principles. Even when saying we is a humble man who knows nothing, it is obvious he does not mean it, he just puts a meaning behind it.

First you should understand what the creator of this quote thought Socrates believed that the purpose of human life was personal and spiritual growth. We are unable to grow toward greater understanding of our true nature unless we take the time to examine and reflect upon our life. In a tale socrates is given two choices first he can leave his home and never come back or he could continue to live in his home but in silence. Living a life of silence equated to living an unexamined life. Socrates couldn't live this type of life so he killed himself. I believe that being alive makes it worth living. If you think about it the chance of being alive is very low. Also I would wanna be alive as long as i could because I’d like to see all the new inventions and changes in the world. Although living without an ability to speak out you opinion or enjoy what you're doing would be unbearable I still do believe a life of being unexamined is still worth

Socrates was one of the greatest philosophers of all time who questioned many individuals about their beliefs on ideas and thoughts that they take for granted by feeling that they know knowledge on a particular subject but utterly find out that they obtain no knowledge or wisdom on that subject that they felt so strongly about, which in turn, ended up being embarrassing to that individual. However Socrates feels that if he did not live and examined his life would have been pointless because he would not have learned of all the knowledge he did. Socrates was not like every other citizen in his time who did not examine life and world around him; he would explore his mind and find knowledge of the ideas, thoughts, and values in his time

So, as told by Plato, Socrates began his defence before an Athenian jury on charges of impiety and corrupting the youth of the city. However, the real aim of these accusations seems to have been to challenge the way in which Socrates had conducted his life—a life dedicated to the continuous debate of various ethical issues and the attainment of wisdom and truth. Indeed, Socrates’ importance to the development of philosophy, considered by many to be the greatest achievement of the Greeks, cannot be understated.

Socrates was a greek philosopher, known to many as the father of modern philosophy. Socrates believed that philosophy should achieve practical results to benefit the wellbeing of society by attempted to establish an ethical system based on human reason rather than theological doctrine. He pointed out that human choice was motivated by the desire for happiness. One of his greatest quotes was Know thyself. For Knowing yourself enables one to better themselves and setting them on the path to becoming wiser. Heightening one's ability to reason and make choices that will bring us closer to true happiness. By far his most famous quote comes from his trial, “The unexamined life is not worth living for a human being”. For once one examines themselves and understand who they are they can take control of their lives. Socrates Believed that the ability to ask, examine, and to understand one's life can make life more fulfilling. Upon examining his own life, he realizes that he never voluntarily wronged anyone and so could not wrong himself. “But I, throughout my entire life, if I was ever publicly active, it is apparent that I was the kind of man, and of man, and I was the same in private, who never conceded anything to anyone contrary to justice—neither to those my slanderers say are my students, nor to anybody else.” (Apology) Socrates arrives to this conclusion based on the charges brought to him. He points out meletus contradictions of accusing Socrates of introducing new and

In the Apology, Socrates makes the statement that “an unexamined life is not worth living for a human being” (Plat. Apol. 38a). When really breaking down this statement I believe that Socrates is saying that if you do not take the chance during your time here on Earth to learn how to do life in a way that is beneficial to yourself, and to society, then it is pointless to even live. If you just act as if you are an animal and live your life purely by instinct and if you don’t take into consideration how your actions could affect yourself, and the people around you, then you haven’t learned anything throughout the highs and lows of your life. The reason that we go through so many low points and high points is to teach us lessons about how to better our future