What did Aristotle mean when he wrote "the unexamined life is not worth living"?

Question

(I'm not sure if it was aristotle or socrates)... :P

and do you agree?

Answer 1

I think he meant that unless you reflect on life and its purpose it is not worth living.

Answer 2

This quote was written down by Plato, supposedly uttered by Socrates.

Stop for a moment and consider - have you ever examined your life?

Have you ever stepped back and taken stock of all the things, large and small, that make up what you call your "life." Your religion, beliefs, career, education, relationships, attitude, looks, thoughts, speech, abilities, all the things that make you who you are and define what we're all about as people.

If so, you could probably come up with a few things that are wonderful and a few things that are questionable, and few things that are down right unhealthy. And if you were serious in your evaluation, you'd probably try to change a few things and you'd learn a few things about yourself.

But, if you never do this, if you never really stop to think about what you're doing; if you never learn anything or do anything to make the world a better place, then what's the point? Why be alive at all?

So, I think, that Socrates was saying that if you're not doing something with your life what's the point in living and how can you do anything if you don't know what you're working with. Sounds like putting something together without looking at the pieces.

But that's the beauty of Philosophy, it's highly subjective.

I think Socrates would say that the best answer to this question is whatever meaning you derive from the quote.

Answer 3

Probably as a remark of what someone else said that made their argument less valid. Socrates is not about to stand behind anything he or anyone else says. Protecting something you said before is not actually consistent, but inconsistent with what you think right now. Socrates knew only that he knew nothing. That is an incredible statement that keeps taking on new meanings for me. A disbelief is completely different from a belief.

Answer 4

that means that a person who does not take the time to think about what has gone on in his life and what role or roles he played in the events he is left never knowing what if anything he has done that is worth while . like wise he is unaware of his shortcomings.
this would be a person that does not learn from his past but instead just repeats the same mistakes or correct things over and over never learning the leasons of life

Answer 5

I hope he meant one should take stock of oneself and be reflective on one's actions and thoughts. Not ... introspective. One nurtures. The other is like an acid eating into the wires and leaves nothing but smell of burnt rubber behind.