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Single Idea 343

[filed under theme 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 Ref

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]


The 20 ideas with the same theme [encouragements to pursue philosophy]:

Let us reason together, saith the Lord [Isaiah]
Everyone has the potential for self-knowledge and sound thinking [Heraclitus]
The unexamined life is not worth living for men [Socrates]
The highest ability in man is the ability to discuss unity and plurality in the nature of things [Plato]
We must fight fiercely for knowledge, understanding and intelligence [Plato]
Philosophy is the supreme gift of the gods to mortals [Plato]
Diogenes said avoidance of philosophy is the lack of a desire to live properly [Diogenes of Sin., by Diog. Laertius]
Without extensive examination firm statements are hard, but studying the difficulties is profitable [Aristotle]
If each of us can give some logos about parts of nature, our combined efforts can be impressive [Aristotle]
Begin philosophy when you are young, and keep going when you are old [Epicurus]
Slavery to philosophy brings true freedom [Epicurus]
In the study of philosophy, pleasure and knowledge arrive simultaneously [Epicurus]
Pursue truth with the urgency of someone whose clothes are on fire [Ashvaghosha]
The greatest good for a state is true philosophers [Descartes]
Philosophy is sanctified, because it flows from God [Leibniz]
All other human gifts can harm us, but not correct reasoning [Leibniz]
Fixed ideas should be tackled aggressively [Kierkegaard]
Everything interesting should be recorded, with records that can be rearranged [Peirce]
Philosophy ennobles the world, by producing an artistic conception of our knowledge [Nietzsche]
An unexamined life can be virtuous [Murdoch]