THE UNEXAMINED LIFE IS WORTH LIVING: A SOCRATIC PERSPECTIVE
THE UNEXAMINED LIFE IS WORTH LIVING: A SOCRATIC PERSPECTIVE

Summary/Abstract: Socrates is famous in Apology for stating that the unexamined life is not worth living, but it is argued that this statement is not deserving of its reverence. It is more likely Socrates’ comment, rather than Plato’s, because it is not mentioned in other dialogues. The paper’s contention is that an unexamined life is also worth living, and may be superior to an examined one. Lives spent examining morality and living virtuously, though meaningful, may be less rewarding, less happy, and not as fulfilling as some meaningful unexamined ones. Practicing and investigating virtues is not necessarily the happiest or best life.

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