What Did Socrates Mean by ‘the Examined Life’
What did Socrates mean by ‘the examined life’
In the Apology Socrates opined that the greatest good a man could engage in, is continual discussion about virtue and examination of its presence in self and others. Socrates felt that Athenians, like a purebred horse that is well fed but seldom exercised, had become lazy, sluggish and underperforming. He was disturbed by the indulgence which coupled with fixation on wealth was distracting his townsmen from true greatness that would only be achieved by increased attention to wisdom, truth and improvement of the soul. Socrates advised Athenians to aim as individuals to virtues of the city “…you who are a citizen of the great and mighty and wise city of Athens…” (Plato, The Apology).
Socrates believed that the universal aspiration for all men should be was virtue. However, virtue must be known before it can be desired and achieved, which requires attention and commitment. This aspiration to a higher state, ideal and disposition could only be achieved by constant self improvement, the pursuit of which was Socrates’ sole goal in life. In the Apology, Socrates proves his commitment to the virtuous improvement of Athenians by referring to his negligence of his private concerns to concentrate on his divinely bestowed task of advising in people publicly or privately to aim to virtue. As a result of his diligent performance in his duty, he was on trial charged with leading astray the youth. The fruits of his labors were many powerful enemies and poverty.
According to Socrates, Examination of life is aspiring to improvement of the soul, absolute honesty, desire for knowledge, discernment of the known and the unknown (wisdom) and correct priority in attending to matters (matters of the state come before those of the individual). It is also absolutely necessary, if life is to be examined, that the examination be a continual process undertaken everyday and every aspect of an individual’s dealings, feelings
In the Apology Socrates opined that the greatest good a man could engage in, is continual discussion about virtue and examination of its presence in self and others. Socrates felt that Athenians, like a purebred horse that is well fed but seldom exercised, had become lazy, sluggish and underperforming. He was disturbed by the indulgence which coupled with fixation on wealth was distracting his townsmen from true greatness that would only be achieved by increased attention to wisdom, truth and improvement of the soul. Socrates advised Athenians to aim as individuals to virtues of the city “…you who are a citizen of the great and mighty and wise city of Athens…” (Plato, The Apology).
Socrates believed that the universal aspiration for all men should be was virtue. However, virtue must be known before it can be desired and achieved, which requires attention and commitment. This aspiration to a higher state, ideal and disposition could only be achieved by constant self improvement, the pursuit of which was Socrates’ sole goal in life. In the Apology, Socrates proves his commitment to the virtuous improvement of Athenians by referring to his negligence of his private concerns to concentrate on his divinely bestowed task of advising in people publicly or privately to aim to virtue. As a result of his diligent performance in his duty, he was on trial charged with leading astray the youth. The fruits of his labors were many powerful enemies and poverty.
According to Socrates, Examination of life is aspiring to improvement of the soul, absolute honesty, desire for knowledge, discernment of the known and the unknown (wisdom) and correct priority in attending to matters (matters of the state come before those of the individual). It is also absolutely necessary, if life is to be examined, that the examination be a continual process undertaken everyday and every aspect of an individual’s dealings, feelings
References: 1. Plato “Euthyphros” Web 10 December 2011 http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/euthyfro.html 2. Plato “The Apology” Web 10 December 2011 http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/apology.html