Drunken Philosophy

Join us for drinks and interesting conversation :)

Important. Do to rain the location has changed to Nocterra brewing!! A big thanks for Matt Dalton for writing the prompt and hosting drunken philosophy the last 2 sessions. I am still looking for more people to fill up our leadership if anyone is interested. The comic at the top was written by Stivers.

Today's optional discussion prompt: What did Socrates mean when he said a unexamined life is not worth living.

In Plato's "Apology," Socrates famously declares: "The unexamined life is not worth living." This statement comes during his trial in Athens (399 BCE), where he faces charges of corrupting the youth and impiety. Rather than beg for mercy, Socrates defends his philosophical mission and ultimately accepts death over abandoning his pursuit of wisdom through questioning.

## Core Discussion Questions

1. Core Meaning: What do you think Socrates meant by an "examined life"? Is he suggesting that reflection alone gives life value, or is something more required?
2. Modern Application: In our busy world, how might we practice the examined life? What barriers prevent self-examination in contemporary society?
3. Testing the Claim: Is Socrates' statement too extreme? Can a life without philosophical reflection still have meaning and value?
4. The Costs of Examination: What are the potential drawbacks of intensive self-examination? Can examining one's life too thoroughly lead to paralysis, anxiety, or other negative outcomes?
5. The Unexamined Society: How might Socrates' principle apply beyond individuals to communities or societies? What does an "examined society" look like?
6. Levels of Examination: Are there degrees of self-examination? What is the minimum level required to meet Socrates' standard?
7. Knowledge vs. Action: Is it enough to know oneself, or must the examined life lead to changed behavior? What is the relationship between examination and virtue?
8. External Aid: Can others help us examine our lives, or is this strictly an individual endeavor? What role do teachers, friends, and even adversaries play?

## Additional Thought Experiments

1. The Happy Fool

Imagine two people: one lives unreflectively but experiences great joy and contentment; the other lives a deeply examined life filled with doubt, awareness of moral complexity, and occasional existential angst. Who lives the "better" life according to Socrates? According to you?
2. The Time Limitation

Suppose you discover you have only one year left to live. Would you spend more or less time examining your life? How might the knowledge of finite time change your approach to self-examination?
3. The Socratic Mirror

Imagine a device—a "Socratic Mirror"—that when gazed into, forces you to confront the contradictions in your beliefs and values. Would people use such a device voluntarily? Would it be ethical to require its use?
4. The Partial Examination

Consider someone who rigorously examines certain aspects of their life (perhaps their career choices) but deliberately avoids examining others (perhaps their political beliefs or relationships). Has this person met Socrates' standard? What might Socrates say to them?
5. The Cultural Lens

How might people from different cultural backgrounds interpret the idea of an "examined life"? Does Western philosophy place too much emphasis on individual reflection compared to other traditions that might emphasize community harmony or spiritual practices?

As always if anybody have any ideas for discussion prompts write it up and we can use it for the next meet up. It can be about anything philosophy related or anything abstract. Don't worry if it is 'out there'