The unexamined life is not worth living...but wait! there's something missing
Synthesising experience and examination.
The Unexamined Life
In one of his most [ab]used lines, Socrates famously declared, "The unexamined life is not worth living." This assertion, made during his trial as recorded in Plato's Apology, has resonated through centuries. For Socrates, the pursuit of knowledge and self-awareness was paramount. He believed that without philosophical inquiry, one could not achieve true wisdom or virtue. It doesn’t take much to see if we follow Socrates here. To live authentically, even morally, one must continuously examine the world and one's beliefs, motivations, and actions, as any Platonic dialogue attests.
However, in our modern context, this ancient idea seems to challenge us to look beyond the surface of our daily routines and societal norms. It calls us to question our motivations, beliefs, and the very essence of what it means to live a good life. Are we merely going through the motions, conforming to societal expectations, or are we genuinely engaging with our existence, seeking a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world?
The Unlived Life
Contrastingly, the more modern idea that "the unlived life is not worth examining" brings an essential counterbalance to Socratic thought. This perspective, which borders on existentialist thinkers like Miguel de Unamuno, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir, posits that philosophical reflection must be rooted in lived experience. Without actively engaging with life—embracing opportunities, facing challenges, experiencing love, loss, and everything in between—philosophical musings can become sterile and detached. These detached, sterile thoughts suggest that passive observers would bring them forward, abstracted from our everyday lives.
These ‘examiners’ become, in Kierkegaardian fashion, aesthetes. For Kierkegaard, the aesthetic person sits on the sidelines and judges moral problems with airs and graces but never actually becomes involved in the issues. This person is typically known today as the fence-sitter variety: ‘If this, then that. On the other hand, if that, then this.’ It is a well-balanced argument for some, a pointless analysis that offers no solution for others.
Nevertheless, the aesthete is not engaged in life as that would risk being responsible for their choices. At the point of choosing, we have the most opportunity for growth. The aesthete is content with this first step of discussing the pros and cons without committing oneself to a code to live by (of course, there is more to it, and the interested reader is referred to Kierkegaard's book Either/Or). So, one might say, the observer examines life as it passes them by.
Existentialism emphasises the importance of action, choice, and engagement with the world. Sartre's famous ontological concept of 'existence precedes essence' suggests that we define ourselves through our actions. Moreover, in her exploration of ethics and freedom, De Beauvoir argued that our choices and interactions with others shape our identity and moral framework. Therefore, to understand life, one must live it fully, embracing its inherent uncertainties and complexities. Yet, it seems a tall order to reflect on everything constantly while living life fully. After all, we have jobs, families, and bills to pay. Isn’t reflecting on our lives a luxury given to those who ‘don’t have a proper job’?
I would like to suggest that both views are correct, and the synthesis of the two is what we do in our lives.
The State of Constant Becoming
We exist in a constant state of becoming. Within this state, we find ourselves anew. This new self is the subject of Socratic inquiry. It prevents us from becoming passive observers of the world. Each of our worldly experiences adds richness, vibrancy, and new possibilities. Reflecting on these experiences allows us to appreciate the depth and understanding that facilitates active participation in the world.
Most profoundly, there can be no Being without Becoming. You might argue, “But I haven’t changed all that much. People rarely change in dramatic fashion.” This is true in a sense. Existentialist thought acknowledges that while dramatic transformations are rare, subtle, continuous changes define our existence.
Consider Sartre's notion of "bad faith," where individuals deceive themselves to avoid acknowledging their freedom and responsibility. This self-deception can prevent us from recognising the small, incremental changes within us. Instead, Sartre encourages embracing our freedom and the anxiety that comes with it, thus realising our potential for constant evolution. By confronting our freedom and its responsibilities, we can move beyond the limitations imposed by bad faith and embrace the continuous process of self-creation.
Similarly, Martin Heidegger’s concept of "Being-toward-death" emphasises the importance of recognising our mortality. This awareness compels us to live authentically, making deliberate choices that reflect our true selves. No matter how minor, each choice contributes to our ongoing process of becoming and shaping our identity over time. Heidegger argued that by acknowledging the inevitability of death, we can live more fully, making choices that are true to our authentic selves rather than conforming to societal expectations.
In her writings, De Beauvoir explored the tension between immanence and transcendence. She argued that while our daily activities (immanence) often seem mundane, they are infused with the potential for transcendence through our reflective consciousness. Through this lens of reflection, we perceive the subtle shifts in our identity and values. De Beauvoir emphasised that we can achieve greater freedom and authenticity by transcending our immediate circumstances through reflection.
Our identities are thus formed through accumulating these small, everyday decisions and reflections. Kierkegaard’s idea of the "leap of faith" further illustrates how significant change often requires embracing uncertainty and the unknown rather than relying on gradual, predictable steps. The leap of faith involves making a passionate, subjective commitment to a course of action or belief despite the lack of objective certainty. This leap represents a profound act of personal transformation and self-definition.
Conclusion
In essence, a meaningful life requires both examination and experience. Socrates' dictum reminds us that without self-examination, we may drift through life without truly understanding it. Existentialist thought, on the other hand, insists that we must live and engage fully with the world to find our authentic selves. We exist in a constant state of becoming, where each experience adds depth and vibrancy to our lives.
Reflecting on these experiences allows us to appreciate the richness of life and the subtle transformations that continuously shape us. This interplay between examination and lived experience ensures that our lives are deeply understood and fully lived.
As you navigate your own existence, consider the balance between examining it and actively participating in it. Reflect on your daily experiences and choices, and ask yourself: Is your life worth examining? Are you living in a way that brings understanding and vibrancy to your existence? In doing so, you may find a path that honours both the wisdom of Socrates and the dynamic potential of existentialists.