MARLON D. MACALMA
Divine
Word College of Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Abstract
In this paper, I will argue in affirmation that
a life without thinking about yourself can become boring and not satisfying.
Socrates, a wise philosopher, reminds us that life becomes more meaningful and
interesting when we keep asking questions, learning new things, and growing. The
paper begins with a review of the literature on the profound philosophy that a
meaningful and purposeful existence necessitates continuous self-reflection,
intellectual inquiry, and the conscious exploration of one's beliefs and
values, challenging individuals to embrace a life of thoughtful examination to
unlock the true depth of human experience.
Keywords: unexamined life, life not worth living, self-reflection, introspection
Introduction
Socrates, one of the most well-known figures in
Western philosophical thought, popularly declared, "The unexamined life is
not worth living." This deep statement, though not directly quoted from
any written work, has become symbolic of Socratic philosophy. Its significance
lies not only in its historical background but also in its enduring
significance to modern society. Socrates' emphasis on self-examination and
intellectual humility challenges individuals to explore into the depths of
their beliefs, values, and actions, fostering personal and intellectual growth.
This reflection aims to explore the profound implications of Socrates'
assertion, drawing insights from both historical sources and contemporary
scholarship.
Socrates' statement serves as a uniting call
for individuals to engage in introspection and serious inquiry. While its
origins can be traced back to Plato's "Apology," where Socrates
defends himself during his trial, the implications of this statement reach well
beyond the confines of the courtroom. Socrates believed that true wisdom arises
from recognizing the limits of one's knowledge and being open to recurrent
learning and self-improvement. In a society commonly characterized by
unwavering beliefs, Socrates' encouragement for self-examination prompts
individuals to adopt intellectual humility and recognize the possibilities for
personal development.
Building upon Socrates' foundational ideas,
contemporary scholars like Woodruff explain the practical consequences of
Socratic ethics. According to Woodruff (2023), Socratic ethics asks you to
change your life, value justice over happiness, and examine yourself all your
life. In making moral decisions, you should use a kind of judgment that is not
limited by theory and does not fall for false images or doubles of the virtues,
such as fearlessness for courage. You should promote virtue also in your
community, fostering a collective commitment to moral excellence.
Reflecting on Socrates' perspective, one is prompted to consider how self-reflection and the willingness to challenge norms contribute to personal and intellectual development. Embracing Socratic ideals encourages individuals to cultivate open-mindedness, pursue knowledge persistently, and engage in meaningful dialogue with others. By questioning their beliefs and values, individuals can deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them, surpassing artificial appearances to expose deep truths.
Intellectual
Humility and Continuous Learning:
Socrates' call for self-examination serves as a
powerful reminder to acknowledge the boundaries of our knowledge, urging us to
embrace intellectual humility. This concept gains further support from the
insights of Porter (2015), who emphasizes that individuals with intellectual
humility are conscious of the potential errors in their thinking. Intellectual
humility, as she describes it, involves recognizing that our beliefs and
opinions may not always be accurate. In essence, it requires a willingness to
accept the imperfection of our intellect. Porter goes on to highlight a crucial
aspect of intellectual humility, pointing to the influence of "identified
beliefs" about intelligence. This suggests that our perceptions and
beliefs regarding our own intelligence play an essential role in shaping
intellectual humility. By intervening at the level of individuals' beliefs,
there is an opportunity to cultivate intellectual humility and its associated
positive outcomes. Simply put, developing intellectual humility involves being
aware of the natural boundaries in our understanding and recognizing the
possibility of making mistakes. Intellectual humility and continuous learning
are like two good friends that help us become better thinkers and learners.
Being intellectually humble means understanding that we don't know everything
and being open to the idea that we can make mistakes. It's about recognizing
that our thoughts and beliefs might not always be right.
Continuous learning is about never stopping the
process of gaining new knowledge and skills. It's like a lifelong adventure of
discovering new things and understanding the world better. When we're
intellectually humble, we're more open to learning because we accept that
there's always more to know. Together, intellectual humility and continuous
learning create a powerful duo that guides us to approach life with an open
mind, always ready to explore, question, and grow. This mindset not only helps
us become wiser individuals but also fosters a positive and curious approach to
the ever-changing world around us.
Self-Reflection
for Personal Growth:
Socrates' focus on looking at our own life
connects with what modern psychology tells us. Thinking about yourself
regularly is important for getting better and growing. It helps you to know
yourself more, your good and not-so-good parts, and what makes you want to do
things. When you explore and think about yourself, you can find areas where you
can become better and take steps to make yourself stronger and improve. Reflecting
on yourself makes you more aware of who you are, which is really important for
growing as a person. It helps you figure out why you react or act in certain
ways and gives you insights into how you usually behave. When you recognize
these habits, you can make choices on purpose and get better at making good
decisions (source: https://esoftskills.com/importance-self-reflection-growth/).
Cultural
Competence:
Cultural competence is about the ability to
relate to people who may be of different cultures to oneself, including all
aspects of cultures such as race, gender and sexuality. Russell, G. (2020) also stressed in his book
“Reflecting on a Way of Being: Anchor Principles of Cultural Competence”
that to relate to difference effectively, it is fundamental that one knows
oneself. Each of us is made up of many different parts that make us who we are.
How we show these parts through our actions and the way we live is really
important in figuring out our true selves. It's not just about the obvious
things like the food we like, the holidays we enjoy, the clothes we wear, or
the languages we speak. It goes deeper – understanding who we are at a more
profound level. This involves not only knowing what we think about the world
but also understanding how those thoughts came to be. It means trying to be
clear about how we learned things while growing up, what ideas we hold, and
where those ideas came from. It's like looking closely at how we were
influenced by our surroundings, recognizing our preferences, and figuring out
where our biases come from.
Conclusion
To sum it up, the reflection on Socrates'
thought, "The unexamined life is not worth living," illuminates the
consistent themes of intellectual humility, continuous learning,
self-reflection for personal growth, and cultural competence. Socrates' call
for self-examination serves as a foundational principle, urging individuals to
embrace intellectual humility by acknowledging the limitations of their
knowledge. Porter's insights further emphasize the importance of recognizing
potential errors in thinking and fostering a willingness to accept the
imperfection of one's intellect.
The discussion on self-reflection underscores
its significance for personal growth, drawing parallels between Socratic
philosophy and modern psychological perspectives. Regular self-examination is
portrayed as a crucial tool for understanding oneself, identifying areas for
improvement, and making conscious choices to enhance decision-making skills.
The emphasis on self-awareness aligns with the broader notion of Socratic
wisdom, emphasizing a continuous process of self-discovery and improvement.
Cultural competence emerges as a vital
dimension, highlighting the understanding that effective relations with
individuals from diverse cultures require a foundational knowledge of oneself.
The reflection delves into the complexity of personal identity, urging
individuals to explore deeper aspects beyond observable traits, such as food
preferences or language spoken. Russell's insights further reinforce the idea
that cultural competence involves recognizing and understanding one's own
cultural influences, preferences, and biases.
In summary, Socrates' timeless wisdom serves as
a guiding thread, weaving together intellectual humility, self-reflection, and
cultural competence into a cohesive narrative. This reflection encourages
individuals not only to examine their lives but also to cultivate a continuous
willingness to learn, grow, and engage with the complexities of their personal
and cultural identities.
References:
Porter, Tenelle Joan (May 2015). Intellectual Humility, Mindset and
Learning (Thesis). Stanford
University.
Russell, G. (2020). Reflecting on a Way of Being: Anchor Principles
of Cultural Competence. In: Frawley, J., Russell, G., Sherwood, J.
(eds) Cultural Competence and the Higher Education Sector. Springer, Singapore.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5362-2_3
Woodruff,
Paul, 'The Spirit of
Socrates', Living Toward Virtue: Practical Ethics in the Spirit of
Socrates (New York, 2023; online edition, Oxford Academic, 15 December 2022), https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197672129.003.0002
https://esoftskills.com/importance-self-reflection-growth/.
Beautiful reflection
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