Single Idea 343

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 2. Invocation to Philosophy]

Full Idea

The unexamined life is not worth living for men.

Gist of Idea

The unexamined life is not worth living for men

Source

Socrates (reports of last days [c.399 BCE]), quoted by Plato - The Apology 38a

Book Reference

Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.33


A Reaction

I wonder why? I can see Nietzsche offering aristocratic heroes and dancers as counterexamples. Compare Idea 3798.

Related Ideas

Idea 3798 An overexamined life is as bad as an unexamined one [Dennett]

Idea 1655 If goodness needs true opinion but not knowledge, you can skip the 'examined life' [Vlastos on Plato]