Isn't an examined life NOT worth living?

Question

Isn't philosophical examination of one's life a waste of one's life? It isn't as if we ever get to the Truth by engaging in such philosophical question, and one might argue that such questions grounded on emotions may enslave the person in such nonsense thoughts without ever any problems solved.

Isn't an examined life not worth living, considering that existential thoughts actually depress, rather than uplift? It isn't as if if there were a God, we'd know for certainty either.

I am inclined to view the examined life a bit of a waste. Better to speedy up and reach actual external goals in life and live it up. What are some of your concerns about the actual negative impact the 'examined life' could have. My assumption is that as humans, we must and do inevitably ask philosophical questions (What is the meaning of life, why do I live, etc), there is no real answer, albeit some clarification.

What is more important is solving problems in life, isn't it?

Thanks all so far.. Some of you really gave meaningful replies. I am an RN I deal with sicknesses. I see the end--death. I don't really 'enjoy' life and at times don't see what's to enjoy. I say these things, but you will find me quite pleasant. I am full of contradictions, but only I can say that! And only I can say I rant!

I've studied not studied philosophy seriously, but I am familiar with readings I've done in school as a major in the subject (regretfully). It led to little positive end, except to encourage more of my pensive personality! :)

Answer 1

I've thought a lot about this, and it seems that the people who are not introspective seem to be a much much happier! But there are some of us who can't escape the self-analysis, as much as we might try. And I don't think I'd give that up. I think that it is about balance.
The ultimate truth is to examine ourselves but not get caught up in the cyclical self-analysis that ultimately paralizes us. Instead, be self-aware, to be awake AS we are living- doing-choosing.
I think that if we substitute "examined" for "conscious living" that we can enjoy each moment and each event so much more, and gain so much more.
On the other side, existential analysis can be incredibly liberating. Every person at some point has to decide what they live for, what gets them out of bed every single morning. Once that is understood, every choice becomes so clear.
Me- I get out of bed to experience all the strange, absurd, adventurous things that come with life. Some live as though there is a greater purpose, a mission, and as long as that mission is clear (hand of God sort of thing) then they have the tools they need for "solving problems in life" as you say.
So, again, I think it does come down to examining one's life and making conscious choices.

Answer 2

Your assumptions are flawed. You say an examined life is a negative life. Many more people would say that only when they examined their life did they become their authentic selves. To set goals and reach them is a good thing, but what if a person reaches their goals without thought to the extermal consequences to themselves and others? What if my goal were to become leader of the world and the way I managed that was by creating wars and killing many millions of innocent people? Then my unexamined, yet goal fulfilled life would have too high a cost to others. A wise man is thoughtful and examines his life to see is it a life worth living? Simply to meet goals is not a guarrantee of a worthwhile or meaningful life.

Answer 3

Animals closest to man examine life from man's point of view and so they are further advanced than other animals...Horses, cats, dogs. And that gives us an advantage becasue we get to examine life from their point of view.

Answer 4

How can one solve problems without examining the cause. You need to examine your hypothesis, it's flawed but I get the idea you just think what you say is clever and don't really understand your own statements.

Stay in school, time will give you a better perspective.

Answer 5

No I don't think so.
All life is worth living, however it's the people who lack self- examination that seem to cause many problems.
If problem solving is important to you , a possible out let may be to help people examine them self and their lives so that they may find the worth in living.

Answer 6

It is the journey, not the destination, that matters. Examining your life may never reveal a "truth" but that is no reason to not examine it at all.

If existential thoughts "depress you" then maybe you REALLY do need to examine your life, you may be doing something wrong.

Focusing on "external goals" means that you are allowing others to set your goals for you, examine your life and set your own goals. Don't let others set your priorities for you.

Answer 7

A common theme in philosophy is that you can't understand life and live life. I don't necessarily agree, that is to say that i don't completely disagree, I would say that life understood is life lived. Also, there are real answers to those philosphical questions they are just not predeterministic, they vary from the individual, and you create them just like you create everything else in your reality, and once you realize this you'll see that examining your own life does not bring despair so much as a real feeling of exuberance, your life is yours to create.

Answer 8

I'm not quite sure what you're getting at, but I can't see living my whole life without ever thinking about things. If you don't do that, you might as well be a goldfish, swimming around in your bowl and happy when someone feeds you, until the day they flush you down the toilet.

Answer 9

to each their own.

I fail to see how a certain amount of self-examination would not be healthy, but constant self-examination to the deteriment of all else can certainly cause one to miss out on a lot.

at the same time, no examination at all can also be a trap. One cannot overcome one's hurdles if one never understands the hurdles - or why they seem to repeat until we do understand them.

Answer 10

Sounds a but 'taoist' to me.

Examination of ones life is clearly of benefit. To know what makes one happy or not. To learn from ones mistakes. To establish what is of 'value' and what is not.

But after that, there are questions to which one can never know the answer. Life after death? Creation or evolution?

In those cases the Taoist turns to the questions that really need answering. What's for lunch? Who an I going to see today? Is it warm enough to sit outside? Is there any of that nice red wine left?

Cheers!
.