Socrates: “the Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living”
Socrates was the son of common Athenians. His father was a stone-mason/ sculptor, his mother a midwife. Socrates was also a stone-mason by trade and was to follow in his father’s footsteps. It was still yet unknown to Socrates in his early years that his ‘career’ would be that of a philosopher.
It is said he was pulled out of his workshop by Crito because of the “beauty of his soul”. Jobless and serving no direct purpose to the Athenian (Greek) society, Socrates was well known in the Athenian markets where he spent much of his time ‘learning’ about others. In his spare time he had developed and honed an ability to use words and was intrigued with life; why things were; what they were; and how things were. Socrates had many (philosophical) teachers throughout his youth, although it is said that he was not satisfied with many of them and this is how he had come about to create his own unique methods for the search of knowledge.
Socrates once said “The unexamined life is not worth living”. This quote, from the son of a sculptor, and his profound thoughts, is one of many that modern-day philosophy is based on. He lived his life on the basis of the need for morals and principles. He believed that the ability to ask, examine and understand would make you a better person.
Socrates was the first of the three great Greek teachers with historical significance and has become one of the most commonly known names of ancient Greece.
In 399 B.C. Socrates was condemned on charges of heresy and corruption – he was charged with not recognizing the gods recognized by the state, inventing new deities and corrupting the youth of Athens.
This assignment poses three questions related to his quote “The unexamined life is not worth living” to enable conclusions to be reached about the impact of Socrates on life and philosophical teaching.
Socrates was consumed by examining the lives of others; what did he do to examine his own life?
Socrates never wrote any of his own
It is said he was pulled out of his workshop by Crito because of the “beauty of his soul”. Jobless and serving no direct purpose to the Athenian (Greek) society, Socrates was well known in the Athenian markets where he spent much of his time ‘learning’ about others. In his spare time he had developed and honed an ability to use words and was intrigued with life; why things were; what they were; and how things were. Socrates had many (philosophical) teachers throughout his youth, although it is said that he was not satisfied with many of them and this is how he had come about to create his own unique methods for the search of knowledge.
Socrates once said “The unexamined life is not worth living”. This quote, from the son of a sculptor, and his profound thoughts, is one of many that modern-day philosophy is based on. He lived his life on the basis of the need for morals and principles. He believed that the ability to ask, examine and understand would make you a better person.
Socrates was the first of the three great Greek teachers with historical significance and has become one of the most commonly known names of ancient Greece.
In 399 B.C. Socrates was condemned on charges of heresy and corruption – he was charged with not recognizing the gods recognized by the state, inventing new deities and corrupting the youth of Athens.
This assignment poses three questions related to his quote “The unexamined life is not worth living” to enable conclusions to be reached about the impact of Socrates on life and philosophical teaching.
Socrates was consumed by examining the lives of others; what did he do to examine his own life?
Socrates never wrote any of his own