The Unexamined Life

 

With reduced activities & engagements during this Covid pandemic I have much time for fruitless (or maybe not so fruitless) contemplation.

I ponder over Socrates statement : The unexamined life is not worth living.

Does this statement hold any truth?

First and foremost what constitutes 'A life worth living' ?

Is the life of a hypothetically fortunate person (with most of his desires met) who is constantly contented considered worth living even if he hardly contemplates about the purpose of his life and what lies beyond? Can attaining happiness by personal standards constitute a worthy life?

On the other hand, unlike other animal species, we are endowed with a brain that is capable of pursuing deeper meaning and purpose in our existence.

Without sounding like a snob, occasionally I look condescendingly at people  when they get excited over small mundane stuff as if life is all about maximising our sense pleasures. I also tend to have higher regards for people who achieve some form of self actualization in Maslow's hierarchy of needs. However if a person leads a happy routine life with all the basic physiological needs met and surrounded by loved ones, does their life not stand out clearly as a very worthy life even if they have never ever ponder about the meaning of their existence or wonder about whether there is a soul after life.

So my mind goes back and forth, back and forth. 

There is no answer. For now, I contend that we are unique individuals, born with different traits, constitution and conditioning. Some are born with an introspective nature and are more inclined to think metaphysically while others are born to 'just carry on living' 活着.

While over-examination and overthink may not be fruitful, I do feel some degree of self awareness and recognising one's connectedness with the world at large will serve as a good compass in living.