Wisdom As Depicted In Plato's Apology

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Wisdom is something that has been sought by human beings for ages yet there is no exact definition as to what it is or how to obtain it. Even though we do not completely understand what wisdom is we can agree that there have been people who have been wise. Of many wise individuals that have ever lived Socrates stands out amongst them. Socrates lived his life the way that I believe is the most nourishing for the mind. He has gone down in history as one of the great philosophers for his ability to question and analyze effectively. According to Plato’s The Apology, a recollection of Socrates’ statements, (“The unexamined life is not worth living”).1 This phrase continues to resonate in my mind ever since I read it from the textbook. To live a …show more content…

After reading his words in Plato’s Apology I now understand many things regarding wisdom. The first being that no matter what I do it will never be something that I could truly accomplish. The second being that it is okay because the journey for wisdom is more important than it itself. I have applied this logic into my life recently when I was diagnosed with a rare incurable illness that will make me blind by the time I am 40 years old. While grief did strike me at first because I felt I was not fair for someone who is 18 years old to lose sight so early, it opened the door to personal examination of my life. If I am currently 18 years of age and will have lost my vision by the time I am 40 then it will mean, assuming I live to be 80, I will live half of my life with sight and the other half blind. I am fully aware that this change will bring hardships and challenges to my life but it will also make me appreciate what I have that many take for granted including myself. Self-reflection over the past few days have helped me not fear this illness but welcome it instead. Welcome it knowing that I know nothing about life and blindness will delve me into another realm of personal growth that I cannot fathom at the moment. As Socrates lived his life to the last second with careful examination I wish to live my life to the last minute with significant

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