Student #1 (Comment on the Post. Make sure it Substantive).
Socrates believed that living a life where you live under the rules of others, in a continuous routine without examining what you want out of it is not worth living (Mitchell, H. B. 2015). Basically what Socrates believed was not living a life by what someone else wants you to do without finding out other alternatives. Being told how to live your life is not living it at all. I couldnt even imagine waking up and being told what to eat for breakfast or how I should dress. That to me sounds like a dictatorship, or an abusive relationship. I believe life is worth living by making your own choices, being able to choose who you love, and being able to question how things work and create your own ideas about how something was created. Instead of being told it was created the way the person believes it was created. Being able to challenge others thoughts and opinions makes life so much more exciting.
Just imagine challenging something someone said and creating it into something much bigger, finding facts, and forming a general question gets people thinking. That leads to inspiring people to build off of your thought.
Student # 2 (Comment on Discussion Post. Make Sure it is Substantive).
Socrates thought that life was not worth living if he was not able to examine or think differently about how to live life with meaning or purpose. His statement emphasizes the fact that humans should analyze their lives and think about how to live it to the fullest with no regrets or fears. Socrates believed that “a life in which your opinions and ideas are those of your parents, teachers, and friends rather than your ownis no life at all.” (Mitchell, 2015, p.32) Over the years, society has created labels of how humans should behave, and this philosophy wants to differ from that and explain that’s not the way to live a meaningful life. Socrates questioned other citizens of Athens, saying that they were ignorant of the true meaning of living. Clearly, this idea can create controversy to this day when we see individuals have different opinions and carry themselves differently from others. We may think that they are wrong but, Socrates’ only purpose was to let people know that it’s okay to think differently and to make your own decision without being influenced by other people.
I believe that as adults, we should have the right to choose how to live our lives. Being that it’s exactly that “our life,” we should do what makes us happy and what can help us have personal and professional development. However, there are rules in place for a reason. If the world didn’t have rules or laws, there would be chaos. The key is not to take or do things literally. Life is all about balance, and we know what is good and bad for ourselves. As long as we don’t put others at risk, we should find our meaning or purpose in life and be the best version of ourselves.
Answer the Professor’s Question
Do you think that an examined life will necessarily be a happy one? Why, or why not?
