What Makes a Good Life #1 - Socrates

Hello, we're launching a new series in the Heuton Letter.

Heuton Letter has always sought to offer diverse perspectives on life. Our primary aim has been to share a broad range of viewpoints and examples addressing the fundamental question, "What kind of life should we live?" With this in mind, we're excited to introduce our new series: "What Makes a Good Life."

In fact, this question has been around since ancient times. Across the ages, various philosophers and thinkers have presented their own arguments about "what constitutes a good life." This suggests that those who understood the importance of contemplation and reflection have long been concerned with this fundamental issue—and the same holds true today.

In this series, we'll explore the concept of a "good life" as discussed by philosophers from ancient times to the present. Each week, we'll introduce the perspectives of different thinkers on the question: What kind of life should we live?

We'll begin with Socrates. This series was inspired by Derren Brown's book.

Long Ago, in a Village in Athens

Around 469 BC, in a village in Athens, Greece, a charming baby named Socrates was born to a stonemason and a midwife.

During his lifetime, Athens enjoyed a cultural golden age under the leadership of Pericles. It was during this time that the Parthenon, which we know today, was built, and the beginnings of democratic governance, where citizens directly participated in politics, also emerged. It's astonishing to think this was over 2,500 years ago.

However, Athens did not experience prosperity alone. The Peloponnesian War, which you might have heard of somewhere, lasted for an astounding 30 years. In the end, Athens suffered a significant defeat to Sparta, leading to considerable political turmoil and social instability.

Amidst chaos and turmoil, humans begin to engage in deep thought. During this period of confusion, many citizens of Athens began to question existing values and order. Our protagonist today, Socrates, also began his exploration of human existence and moral values against this backdrop.

Know Thyself

"Know thyself." This is probably the most representative phrase associated with Socrates. While it may seem simple and obvious at first glance, it actually carries a profound meaning.

According to Socrates, a good life is one that constantly explores one's inner self to understand what one does not know and practices virtue based on the wisdom gained through this process. Let's break this down and examine each part in detail.

Socrates' philosophy emphasizes, above all else, the recognition of one's own ignorance. He actually said, "True wisdom is knowing that you know nothing." Think about it—how often do we assume we know things when we don't? We frequently believe we understand things roughly by guessing, even without direct experience. We think we grasp the whole context by looking at just one aspect because it's easier that way.

Perhaps this tendency is even more pronounced when it comes to ourselves. We think, "I know myself better than anyone else." But that's not the case. As I grow older, what I've realized is that the wider my world becomes, the more I see things about myself that I didn't know before.

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Thus, Socrates emphasized reflection. He even said, "An unexamined life is not worth living." (That's tough) In other words, the good life he spoke of was one that continuously reflects on oneself and scrutinizes one's beliefs and values. He urged people not to merely follow societal customs but to think and judge for themselves. He advocated that we should constantly ask questions and engage in dialogues to examine our beliefs, values, and actions.

But even though we know that reflection is important, it's not something we can start as easily as breathing. It requires training. So, how did Socrates practice reflection? Through the famous Socratic method of questioning.

In practice, he trained his students in the following way:

1. First, he would ask questions to elicit the other person's opinions or arguments.
2. When the person responded, he would present counterexamples to offer opposing viewpoints.
3. Then, he would point out inconsistencies in their subsequent answers, questioning their fundamental values or assumptions, ultimately helping them reach a new understanding. (He probably didn't have many friends.)

For example, I read a book and found this. It's still an important question for us today:

"Both in ancient Greece and now, parents have taught that a wealthy life is a good life. Socrates would then ask what exactly one intends to do with all that money. By continually asking such questions, he ultimately made the person being questioned contemplate 'What is a good life?'"

But then, what do we do by knowing ourselves like this? Socrates says we must practice virtue. Ah... such words sound like they come straight out of a textbook. The virtues Socrates spoke of include wisdom, courage, self-control, and justice, among others. He said that a life where these are well harmonized is a "good life."

In other words:

1. Wisdom: Recognizing one's own ignorance and continually learning.
2. Courage: Having the ability to act rightly in the face of danger or fear.
3. Self-Control: Controlling and managing one's desires and emotions.
4. Justice: Acting with consideration for both individual and societal well-being.

At first glance, this might sound obvious and perhaps even dull. Yet, in our current age where materialism, instant gratification, and short-term rewards are idolized and revered, these values are often excessively undervalued. Are we perhaps being cynical about these virtues?

Conclusion

In conclusion, Socrates advocated for constant self-reflection to question and examine our fundamental beliefs, leading us to better conclusions. By repeating this process, accumulating wisdom, and practicing virtue, we achieve what Socrates defines as a "good life." What we currently believe to be right might not be correct at all. Are you living a good life right now?

Of course, it's only natural, but capturing his profound philosophy in a single article is impossible. Nonetheless, Socrates discussed "what makes a good life" in the manner described above, and even after 2,500 years, his message remains relevant to us living today.

By the way, Socrates was put on trial for "impiety" and "corrupting the youth." He stated, "My mission is to awaken your souls. I would rather choose death than live an unexamined life." He never wavered from his beliefs and was ultimately sentenced to death.

What about you? Have you recently discovered something new about yourself?

See you next week.