The Unexamined Life is Not Worth Living

The unexamined life is not worth living…

• First of all, there are concepts that need to be identified here. “Unexamined life” is assumed here as a life without philosophical retro and introspection by s/he whom is alive. “Not worth living” is assumed here as not worth the energy spent in the daily processes of life – i.e., death would be a favorable alternative.
• Socrates here makes the assumption that in some cases, life is worth living, which is highly debatable. Particularly as he had implicitly suggested life a “disease” prior to his execution. Socrates’s life, given the previously set definition, is notable “examined”.
• Once again the argument against this quote would revolve around 2 focal points.
• One: the attributes of a life worth living must be identified. Is it one of joy, wisdom, social and religious conformity, or otherwise? To challenge this quote, one would propose that a life worth living satisfies the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual personas of a human being (Carl Jung). Introspection (assuming that it is a voluntary action) is unneeded for this growth.
• Second: the usefulness and consequences of “examining” life must be identified. “He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth suffering” is a famous quote. In many cases philosophizing about life leads to depression, frustration, stress and other factors that make life truly not worth the fight. In this case the basic and “superficial” activities of life: work, entertainment, piety, sex ad infinitum provide more fulfillment and a smoother experience for the human soul on earth.

Apart from all of this it is notable that Socrates took for granted that examining life in the deeper sense happens voluntarily. Everyone is subject to paradigm shifts and broader perspectives every once in a while, and the fine line between that and philosophy is fragile.