In Plato’s Apology, Socrates states that “The unexamined life is not worth living.”  Now, I realize that in our current intellectual climate, we consider ancient thought to hold about as much water as ancient pottery.  But I would like to argue that Socrates’ value of philosophical reflection was not only appropriate for the Greek philosophers and the citizens of ancient Athens, but is absolutely vital to any semblance of happiness in our modern life.

We are encouraged these days with phrases like “pursue your passion,” “follow your dreams,” or, “live each day like you mean it.”  But how are we to do any of these things without philosophical reflection?  How can we effectively “pursue our passion” without reflectively considering the difference between a realistic occupation about which we are passionate and a half-baked fantasy for which we have no talent? What is the difference between a core passion of our being, and an impulse or fantasy?  Or how do we know which dreams, when followed, will actually make us happy?  Which of us for that matter, without real reflection, can honestly say we know what our deepest desire is?  Or how do we “live like we mean it” when we are also taught that meaning itself is something we create by having a sentimental outlook on a meaningless world?

Without philosophical reflection, not only are we unable to decide whether or not the advice of our modern sages is sound, we are unable even to blindly follow it because we will not know what it means.

I used to teach writing to junior high students and was surprised to find that it is now offensive to tell anyone that there is something they cannot do.  I tried to convince one of my classes that it would actually be compassionate and helpful if we could offer each other feedback about whether or not our goals are realistic.  To prove my point, I gave them this hypothetical example: what if my dream was to become a football player in the NFL?  Shouldn’t my friends encourage me to find a different dream? To my absolute shock, they unanimously agreed that I should follow my dream, if it’s what I really wanted, and pursue it to the fullest.

Now, to offer some context, this may have been surprising, but not nearly so shocking, had I been a young man in my early twenties with a large build and an athletic background. However, I am a 5’4″ woman in my thirties who was pregnant at the time.  Still, I could not convince my students that it could be anything but offensive for someone to advise me to change my dreams.  If I had told them that my dream was to be a fish, they would have supported experimental research in acquiring gills.

Teaching junior high students the skills of thinking philosophically is one of my greatest delights.  However, what concerns me is that they did not make such a silly argument because they were twelve years old, they made the argument because they are growing up in the 21st century western world.  It was not their immaturity that made them unable to see the absurd consequences of their argument. Well, I suppose it was, but I am fearful that it is an immaturity from which our current culture will never teach them to grow up.

We are given principles to live by that can only let us down.  We are told, “Be who you are and don’t let anyone change you” and simultaneously “The greatest virtue is tolerance and to cause offense to no one.”  If we think carefully for even a moment, we will see that these two principles are in direct conflict.  We cannot be an immovable force and also be inoffensive.  We cannot be offensive to none and have any strength of integrity.

Philosophy is not just for the academics, the elite, or those who like abstract thinking or solving puzzles.  Philosophy is for everyone who wants to live a life of meaning, principle, or happiness.