An unexamined life
My philosophy course focuses on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, and the course introduction has already sparked some questions about how I live my life and the purpose of life itself.
The somewhat stringent guidelines for a successful life outlined by my professor have made me reconsider my thoughts on my own life. I feel that I have not yet examined half of what I want to and even that amount is only a minuscule portion of what can be examined. I will always wonder what my life would be like (if I could judge it as successful) if I left school and work behind to actually learn; a life free of any obligations other than a need to satiate any curiosity.
A life such as that would seem to be more productive, but even so, I can’t help but wonder “what’s the point?” A life examined or unexamined will eventually end. Whether or not you believe in an afterlife, heaven & hell, reincarnation or nothing at all, there eventually comes a time where you invariably wonder “what’s the point?”
Personally, I believe in reincarnation, and it makes my day-to-day worries seem even more useless considering they will all be erased/replaced upon my death. So, why do we struggle so much? Why don’t we just do what we really want?
tarun
Jan 21, 01:07 AM
I’ve struggled to accept that life is basically pointless. At the day to day level, perhaps life is only a constant struggle for happiness. A cycle of endlessly expanding desires and their fulfilment until death. The best kind of happiness is the feeling of power over yourself.
What is good? All that heightens the feeling of power in man, the will to power, power itself. What is bad? All that is born of weakness. What is happiness? The feeling that power is growing, that resistance is overcome. – Friedrich Nietzsche, The Antichrist, section 2
But then its a human trait to search for purpose and judge importance. Purpose and Importance change with the frame of reference. They are useless, just like Logic.
Quotes from Sartre’s Nausea
Why do not do what we really want? Enter other people and society.
If I had the means to earn enough money for decent living, I would do exactly what I wanted. No one would be allowed to judge my desires – because in the large scale of things, we’re only organisms. We will live. And die. No purpose. It just is. If so, why live exactly as another wants?
No good or bad. Only choices that eliminate some possibilities and create others.
Morality is herd instinct in the individual. – Friedrich Nietzsche, The Gay Science, section 116
The visionary lies to himself, the liar only to others. – Friedrich Nietzsche
But right now, we are doing what we want. We want the perceived shelter of society. Shelter from what? poverty? We are choosing to give up other desires, but ultimately the stronger coalition of desires wins.
Tom
Jan 21, 04:04 PM
“A life examined or unexamined will eventually end.”
I think the purpose of examination is to see if one is worth living a life that leads to only one end, death. But, I always struggled with the idea because, the more you examine your life, the more depressing it is; thus, my point is, an unexamined life is superficial, stupid and short, and an thorougly examined life leads to depression and anger caused by the fact that you can’t make much influence in this world. I’d say, “I have not yet examined half of what I want to,” is probably the best idea.
Mahangu
Jan 21, 09:06 PM
I’m a Christian, so most philosophy fades in the light of my belief in eternal life. However, when I look at philosophy, I try to look at it without the attachment of my belief system.
I think what Socrates meant when he said “the unexamined life is not worth the living” is that man’s consciousness of being alive is essential for ‘existence’ to become ‘life’.
If you go about your days merely eating, drinking and sleeping – that is existence. When you begin to wonder why you are here, what your purpose is, and what you should do with your life, that is when existence becomes life. At least that’s my interpretation of his quote. :)
Thame
Jan 21, 09:45 PM
tarun:
“Why do not do what we really want? Enter other people and society.
If I had the means to earn enough money for decent living, I would do exactly what I wanted.”
Yes, that really is the point of what I was trying to say. Then again, if my survival is linked to money, perhaps living a fiscally successful life can be considered successful.
Tom:
Hi. It probably is best to find a middle ground so that one does not completely lose hope. Believing that there is still a great deal to be examined (as you mentioned) is comforting regardless of any preceding results or conclusions.
Mahangu:
“When you begin to wonder why you are here, what your purpose is, and what you should do with your life, that is when existence becomes life.”
You may have just sparked another article :D
Who does not think about their life and purpose? Is it possible for someone to simply exist their entire life without once questioning their life?
tarun
Jan 24, 01:20 AM
Thame:
I understand your frustration. Despite the stigma surrounding questioning dependance on society, I am unable to accept a lack of choice. It makes me afraid of entrapment.
Tom:
The effects of examining something cannot always lead to sadness. I think that its not examination itself that causes sadness – its all about the context.
The universal pointlessness and lack of any purpose to existence is depressing though.
Mahangu
Jan 31, 06:55 PM
Thame,
Sorry for the late, late reply, but yes, I do believe there are many people out there who just float through life without ever thinking about any of those questions. Look around you mate – many people in today’s world have no opinions or thoughts on anything. It’s all about getting ahead, getting ahead, getting ahead.
At least that’s the way I see it.
Thame
Jan 31, 07:40 PM
No problem Mahangu. I guess I am just naive then but I was hoping that people would question their existence, even if it were for just a moment.
I think people who do push, and push will eventually get to the point where it is no longer satisfying and they might begin to question their end.
Paul S.
Feb 8, 03:59 PM
If you want to understand what the point is — I suggest you contact www.metaphysical-journey.com.
Believers and non-believers can enrich their knowledge through an actual soul journey.