Ancient Philosophy
... Of nature and life? Maybe in actuality he asked this question subjectively with an objective thought process. His question cannot only be answered objectively but it can also be answered subjectively as well. Thinking of this question makes me want to discover the meaning of his question, “What is the good life?” I took this class to discover more of life and knowledge, and maybe this question will be answered to myself. When I think of Socrates’ question, I think of it in two ways, both being relative perspectives. The first is that in the manner of material possessions. Materially, the good life would be having lots of money, a mansion, swarms of beautiful women around me, and a gigantic collection of classic cars. The second way I think of this question is not in material possessions, but of that which holds sentimental value to me. I think of love, family, friends, and happiness. Socrates said the “good life” is having knowledge, so where does knowledge fit in to the two perspectives in which I examine his question? It could fit into the material, or objective, perspective, for having the knowledge that I’m wealthy, I don’t have to work, and have no worries about losing my social status could be described as the “good life.” It could also fit into the sentimental value, or subjective, perspective as well, for having the knowledge that I have my parents’ love, caring friends, the love of my significant other and that I have happiness from all of these. So, does this mean that Socrates’ objective answer is also subjective in nature as well? For having knowledge could be the “good life” yet choosing what knowledge that is, is dependent upon the person and is not always absolute. Personally, I feel the answer to Socrates’ question is both objective and subjective simultaneously. Because it is true that having knowledge is the “good life,” objectively speaking, yet deciding what that knowledge is, is very subjective. So it is safe to say that the answer lies in the grey zone between objective and subjective, absolute and relative. The more I think of Socrates’ ques...