Examined Life
Socrates' teaching that a life worth living requires continual self-reflection and questioning.
Also known as: Self-examination, Reflective life, Socratic examination
Category: Concepts
Tags: philosophies, wisdom, reflection, socrates, self-knowledge
Explanation
The Examined Life is Socrates' teaching that 'the unexamined life is not worth living' - that human flourishing requires continual self-reflection, questioning, and pursuit of truth. The concept involves: questioning one's beliefs and assumptions, reflecting on how one lives, seeking understanding rather than accepting received wisdom, and pursuing virtue through knowledge. Socrates practiced this through: dialogues that exposed hidden assumptions, persistent questioning until truth emerged, and applying the same rigor to himself. The examined life contrasts with: living by unexamined convention, pursuing comfort over truth, and avoiding difficult questions. Examination includes: one's values (what do I truly believe?), actions (do I live according to my values?), and assumptions (why do I believe what I believe?). The goal isn't endless self-doubt but: clarity about what matters, alignment of life with values, and genuine wisdom. For knowledge workers, the examined life suggests: regular reflection on career and life direction, questioning assumptions in work and thinking, and pursuing authentic rather than conventional success.
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