Cogito ergo sum

"The Death of Socrates" ~ by Jacques-Loius David 1787

Socrates in his defense to the charges of undermining the state religion of Athens (as reported in Plato’s Apology) states that the ‘Unexamined life is not worth living’.

I have thought about this statement often throughout the years and my conclusion is that life is worth living whether it be examined or not, but that in living an unexamined life you fail to reach your full potential as a human being. I believe that this is MUCH easier said than done though. For instance, if you view your life as one big narrative, is your story told in your own thoughts or through the thoughts of others? That is to say, do YOU guide your narrative or do you let others?

I think we spend a lifetime trying to find out who we are and where we fit in this grand scheme of things. Wouldn’t it be easier for us if we could tune out what the ‘world’ has to say and instead focus on what is important? And by world I mean anyone – including family, who may not be contributing to your mental health and feelings of self worth. I know that this may be shocking to say, but I have seen it time and time again…a well meaning loved one states what they think you should or should not be doing, or what you should or should not be wearing, or what you should or should not be eating while at the same time causing you to question your value as a human being. “If I did this the way they want me to, would they love me more?” “If I don’t, will they love me less?” Of course I do not mean to say that advice from a loved one is not valuable, but that is the point of the examined life...input can be examined and found worthy or examined and discarded. I believe that if you live an examined life you will find yourself less likely to try and examine the lives of others. And I have sneaking suspicions that if I were to truly try to live an ‘examined’ life; I would be able to achieve success in many different areas of my life – whether it is spiritual, intellectual, or otherwise. Above all else, Socrates sought genuine knowledge – genuine self knowledge may not always be pleasant but knowledge in its purist form is reason enough for the quest.



So having said all that, I will resolve in 2011 to try and live an examined life. I am not sure exactly how I am going to do that yet, so any suggestions are welcome. But I think that just the fact of stating that you want to live an examined life is a good first step. And for a second step, I resolve to try to be ‘present’ in every situation. This one is going to be hard for me because I am a worrier. But I think the people in your life deserve nothing less than that you are fully present when you are spending time with them…so that means listening, caring, trying not to be pre-occupied, and spending genuine time with those that you love.