Is The Examined Life Worth Living?

[Keith Maitland]

Commentary

Death is generally taken to be bad for the one who dies. "It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. You take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have."

I personally used to agree with aforementioned sentiment. In fact, I used to agree with it so vehemently that I was formerly part of the so-called "life extension" movement that attempts to indefinitely prolong the healthy span of human life using biotechnology.

But after doing philosophy I'm not sure if I still agree with it. After repeatedly arriving at devastating philosophical conclusions (No God or gods, no external world, no other minds, no mind-body interaction, no free will, no moral responsibility, no reliable cognitive faculties, impending human obsolescence due to AI, etc.) I am beginning to see death in a whole new light. It is like a magical escape route from the horror show of existence.

Socrates said the unexamined life is not worth living. But I think he got it backwards. I believe it is the examined life that is not worth living. Or maybe we’re both right and life is just not worth living at all.

[Sriram]

Life is not worth living for the 'individuality'...or ego.  This is because the individuality sees itself as the centre of existence and dissociates itself from everything else. This is an animal sentiment that we have inherited. As humans we are meant to get rid of this self centric individuality and develop a universal outlook. That is what all spiritual development is all about.

Till we succeed in this endeavor...life will not be worth living simply because the individuality is doomed to be eradicated. No options there at all...regardless of whether we examine or don't examine life. Only the Higher Self is destined (or designed) to grow and develop while the lower self will be eliminated.

So....since its a downhill journey for the lower self....with fleeting pleasures....its not likely to enjoy life as the body ages.

[Brownie]

I understand what Sririam is saying, death is not the end and not to be feared;  at the same time I'm as sure as one can be from an internet forum, that Sririam enjoys his life and makes the most of it while he has it.  Which is surely how it should be.

Keith says of death:   ''It is like a magical escape route from the horror show of existence.''

Philosophy is all very well but that sounds like depression to me, Keith.  It is also something I understand very well but it is undeniably sad.

[Bubbles]

Commentary

Death is generally taken to be bad for the one who dies. "It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. You take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have."

I personally used to agree with aforementioned sentiment. In fact, I used to agree with it so vehemently that I was formerly part of the so-called "life extension" movement that attempts to indefinitely prolong the healthy span of human life using biotechnology.

But after doing philosophy I'm not sure if I still agree with it. After repeatedly arriving at devastating philosophical conclusions (No God or gods, no external world, no other minds, no mind-body interaction, no free will, no moral responsibility, no reliable cognitive faculties, impending human obsolescence due to AI, etc.) I am beginning to see death in a whole new light. It is like a magical escape route from the horror show of existence.

Socrates said the unexamined life is not worth living. But I think he got it backwards. I believe it is the examined life that is not worth living. Or maybe we’re both right and life is just not worth living at all.

Bloody hell!

If that's where philosophy leads someone, I don't think I'll bother.

Is the examined life worth living?

As some one who had cancer and is still here, yes it is!

Very much so.

[Bubbles]

Life is not worth living for the 'individuality'...or ego.  This is because the individuality sees itself as the centre of existence and dissociates itself from everything else. This is an animal sentiment that we have inherited. As humans we are meant to get rid of this self centric individuality and develop a universal outlook. That is what all spiritual development is all about.

Till we succeed in this endeavor...life will not be worth living simply because the individuality is doomed to be eradicated. No options there at all...regardless of whether we examine or don't examine life. Only the Higher Self is destined (or designed) to grow and develop while the lower self will be eliminated.

So....since its a downhill journey for the lower self....with fleeting pleasures....its not likely to enjoy life as the body ages.

Oy!

It's very likely to be enjoying life as the body ages, I'll have you know.

Forget the " lower self" enjoy the sunrise and the birds singing, enjoy your cup of tea.

When you get older and the body ages, you notice how ageist people are.

You don't have to grow into the role of grumpy old git.

Although it gets to you after a bit.

[Khatru]

I see my life as an all-too-brief window on eternity.