Philosopher’s Perspective
Answer each question with 4-5 sentences
This statement of Socrates’, as told by Plato, is sufficient to explain the necessity of studying philosophy. Everyone is pitched into the world blindly and makes do as best they can with the things they are given. For many, this muddling through is hard enough, and examining their motives and the rightness of their actions is just an added, and superfluous, difficulty. However, if we do not examine our lives and use the wisdom we gain from it to plan the future, we are no better than animals following instinct to survive. To take control of your life you must engage your mind. This is not to say that everyone must become a new Socrates, or study academic philosophy, but to paraphrase Voltaire ‘we must all cultivate our own wisdom.’
What is your response to this philosopher’s perspective?
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION . . .
The introductory statement to this ICD said, if we do not examine our lives and use the wisdom we gain from it to plan the future, we are no better than animals following instinct to survive.
Would you agree? Explain.
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Getting through this life is hard enough on its own. Could it not be argued that examining our motives and the rightness of our actions is just an added, and often meaningless, waste of time? Does it really matter?
What do you think? Explain.
