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Socrates and the Unexamined Life

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I need help in beginning to think philosophically. When looking at Socrates, the father of western philosophy who discussed the importance of thinking philosophically in his work the Apology. In this work he made this famous remark, "The unexamined life is not worth living." My assignment is to reflect on that statement and address the following questions concerning it: (1) What does this statement mean to me? and (2) Is it true?

I need to come up with 250 words, between the two questions. I am thinking to me it means what Paul talks about in the Bible when he says "examine yourself to find that you are in the faith." How would I go about explaining this philosophically?

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The solution considers Socrates' phrase "The Unexamined life is not worth living" from Plato's Apology.

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This is a great assignment. The far-reaching influence of the Greek philosophers is very difficult to undermine. In the case of the Apology, written by Plato, Socrates reflects on his life and the duty he has to his students and the Republic as he awaits trail. As you undoubtedly know, Socrates was put to death for '"corrupting the youth" with his philosophical training. Many of Socrates' enemies sought to end his influence. His followers came to rescue him, but Socrates forbade any such attempt. He felt there was a great moral good awaiting his demise then escaping and living in hiding.

The line you were given is one of the most famous of philosophical sayings. Socrates says it amongst his last words before his death. Many interpretations are given but perhaps the fairest is that the pursuit of wisdom and the living, thereof, of truth, is the greatest good man can achieve. Socrates longed to seek wisdom, and taught his students to search for wisdom. He felt that the wise man should govern, since he has abandoned all else for the pursuit of truth. Socrates handed down this wisdom to Plato, and from Plato to Aristotle. Their interpretations of truth and the final goal related to happiness. Man lived not by the calls of riches, power, and fame. He ...

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