Socrates Unexamined Life

In the Apology, Socrates stated that “the unexamined life is not livable (or worth living) for a human being”. Before discussing the meaning of this statement, it is imperative that the key words are broken down. Socrates used the word “worth” in his statement, which in this context has to do with whether humans will achieve substance in their lives. When he speaks of “life,” Socrates is stating that one must venture out of the unexamined life and live the examined life. Socrates also uses the word “human being,” which is one that has self-determination and the ability to reason and express right from wrong. When saying the “unexamined life,” Socrates is referring to a life where one just acts with no thought and does not question certain happenings in life. He is referring to a life where one goes through the motions without stepping back and examining one’s choices. By understanding the language, it helps in causing the meaning of the statement to unfold. It makes it evident that Socrates is claiming that those who do not examine their lives fail in being able to experience what it is like to be a full human. They fail in being a human being because they do not strive to know themselves, and therefore, results in their lives having no value. They fail because if one does not question oneself and the world, one will do things without reason and will not be able to determine right from wrong. If human
Socrates truly believed that without having the ability to question freely life was not worth living. Socrates believed that one gained knowledge by analyzing one’s actions and by observing the outcome of that said action. He would not live a life where he could not question certain situations and because of this, he chooses to die. Even though what happens in the afterlife is unknown, Socrates beliefs were so strong that he would rather die than live an unexamined