The Examined Life - Essay Example

The examined life In Plato’s Euthyphro, through a series of leading questions, Socrates sets up Euthyphro to show him that he does not know what he confidently think that he knows. Euthyphro thinks that he is well versed with religious matters and hence he is not an ordinary mortal. Socrates suggests that Euthyphro should be his teacher not he thinks he will anything from him but to use him as a scapegoat in his trial so that should he be found of any wrong doing, he insist that he learnt from Euthyphro.

Euthyphro quickly accepts not knowing the intentions of Socrates (Plato 22). When Socrates begins to question Euthyphro on what is holy and what is not holy, it turns out that Euthyphro doesn’t know anything religious. From the conversation Socrates has with Euthyphro, it is clear that Euthyphro does not know that he doesn’t know much about religion. In so being, it goes without saying that he doesn’t know himself and hence the need for him to engage in in-depth learning on religious matters.

Socrates uses reasoning through asking questions to Euthyphro to know his knowledge of religion. The same can be applied to a little girl together with other children from Harlem who thinks that there is no need to try hard. When Miss. Moore come along, and broadens their thinking through exposure to a toy shop, they learn that they have to work hard to achieve something in life (Bambara 27). When they thought that they know it all they came to learn that they knew little. In apology, Socrates is facing prosecution for questioning what is below the earth and what is in the sky, and using his weaker argument to outsmart the stronger argument as well as charging people who came to learn from him.

He explains to the court that he learnt of his wisdom from the oracle after his childhood friend had confided in him that there was no one wiser than him. He insists his innocence by claiming that by teaching the youth, it is them who benefit and not him, but due to the public dislike of him Socrates is found guilty and sentenced to death (Plato 42). The sentence makes Socrates see himself as a hero thus maintaining his self worth even when he knows that the public dislike him. In order to avoid death penalty, Socrates proposes that he pay a fine but the jury rejects the offer.

In Crito, when Socrates wakes up, Crito suggests to Socrates that he should escape since he will be afraid of what other will think of him when they learn that he did not do to anything to help Socrates escape his death sentence (Plato 14). Socrates neither accepts nor rejects the suggestion out rightly, but first analyses the question critically and eventually turns down the request. From Socrates refutation, we learn that we ought to discern good advice and bad advice and then chose the good advice since good advice emanates from the tongue of the wise while bad advice stems from foolish ones.

Equally important, is that one should have a specific person who understand them deeply and it is this person they listen to and take advice from and not just anybody. Taking advice from anybody can lead to severe consequences. Socrates eventually decline to escape and choose to await death as he identify himself with the Athenians more than anyone else. Crito is excessively clear in helping one answer the question ‘Who am I?’ Socrates sees himself as an Athenian and hence chooses to die there even though he is offered a chance to escape and hence be able to meet his family in future.

The tough decision he takes against the advice of Crito reveal that one should carry a thorough analysis of the problems that come their way before committing to action. It also shows that one has a duty and a responsibility to educate those who advise them foolishly. I essence Crito answers the questions of what one ought to know and what one should do whit what they know. In addition, when making decisions it is of essence that one considers the consequences their actions. In ‘Lottery,’ for example, the group stones Tessie based on traditions that had existed for a long time even when it is well known that it is not right and non of those whose who stoned Tessie would have done so individually (Shirley 15).

Furthermore, Tim O’Brien, in ‘The things they carried,’ makes his decision based on the advice from a lodge owner he meets on his way to Canada as he tried to flee America so that he could avoid the draft. This decision came to haunt him later on in life since he ended up fighting in the Vietnam War even though he did not believe in it (O’Brien17). He eventually started seeing himself as failure since he was unable to make personal decision on such grave a matter and instead, chose to rely on what the society valued: bravery, duty and obligation.

Moreover, it is important to maintain ones heritage if at all it defines one and hence be in a position to know who they are. In ‘Everyday use,’ Dee Johnson thinks that she is establishing a connection with her ancestors by dropping her names and even her way of doing things (Walker 12). This helps her know herself and from what she knows, make a decision on what she should do next. Works Cited Bambara, Toni, C. “The Lesson”: A Study Guide from Gale’s “Short Story for Students.” New York: The Gale Group. 2002. Print.

O’Brien, Tim. The things they Carried. Garland: Mariner Books. 2009. Print. Plato, Plato. The Apology. Luxembourg: Createspace. 2011. Print. Plato, Plato. Euthyphro. Luxembourg: Createspace. 2011. Print. Plato, Plato. Crito. Salt Lake: Public Domain Books.1999. Print. Shirley, Jackson. The Lottery and Other Stories. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. 2005. Print. Walker, Alice. Everyday Use (Women Writers). New Jersey: Rutgers University Press. 1994. Print.