The Unexamined Life/ The Modern Gadfly

"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates

             In my opinion, our ability to analyze ourselves and our surroundings is what separates us from animals. Dogs, for example, perceive their environment and maybe even themselves, but they lack the mental capacity for introspection and questioning. They seek to satisfy their basic needs, and are creatures driven purely by instinct. People should be better than that, because basing life on our primal natures would lead to nothing but fatal competition and greed. As an illustration of that point, check out America. Capitalism is a crude system because it can only harness the inherent desire of individuals to provide for themselves, rather than overcoming those selfish elements of our essence for the common good. Yet, the open market/perfect competition economic model is hailed as the best to date. We have achieved a relative success; but at what cost? War? Suffering? Worldwide exploitation of indigenous peoples?
            
            Just as a nation or a society, when an individual lives an unexamined life, he is something of a permanently benched player, one that can only follow the course of the game without exerting any influence on its outcome. I believe that people should be more than driftwood in the raging current of life's river, so that they can look back on something more than an existence, and reflect upon a multitude of informed, conscious choices that they made with the purpose of reaching their goals. Each life should be examined because society tends to dictate the direction of people that do not know enough about themselves to forge their own path. At the moment, I don't think that I have enough certainty in my own wants and needs to set long-term life goals, but through my recognition of this fact, I have identified a problem that must be solved in order to get me on the right track. If, through deep thought, I can achieve greater self-knowledge, I will be able to make my own way in the world. Eventually, my godless and faithless self will be prepared to face the trials of life, which should only be approached with a clear sense of direction, as they tend to crush the half-baked hopes and dreams of late adolescence.

            As for a modern "gadfly", I don't really have a clear example in mind. I don't watch TV and am not very well informed on the names of insightful celebrities and witty political commentators. Since I can't cite a particular person, I'll make the claim that the entire field of mainstream, televised political commentary can, in an odd way, be likened to Socrates. Just as the great philosopher questioned the views and principles of the powerful figures he approached, so do the political commentators of the modern day. Political commentators are also like modern "gadflies" in that it is their job to get in other peoples' business and then sardonically comment on it (in front of an audience, like Socrates, no less.) It may seem as though political commentary does not really bring those commented upon to new self-knowledge, but I bet televised remarks about political figures are usually heard by said political figures, which means that they would have the chance to reflect on them and potentially get insight from the "gadfly."

Eulogy Assignment

I would love to stand before you today telling the story of a man full of righteous conviction and desire to help suffering people from all walks of life. Alas, that is not who he was. Artem was a man of thought, one of the most dangerous and utterly terrifying things to be. He questioned constantly, was perpetually unsure of everything, and had a thoroughly bleak worldview. It may sound to you like I am speaking ill of the deceased, but you misunderstand. Artem held few convictions, but those he did were iron-wrought. The shades of gray in which he saw everything may be perceived as an impediment, but he always warned against wearing rose-colored glasses, preferring to keep expectations low in order to be pleasantly surprised on the off-chance that something actually went well. He couldn't stand complaining from people who were disgustingly optimistic and therefore, constantly disappointed. Artem was a Dostoevsky in that he believed that life's vibrance and beauty only fully came to light in the very depths of human misery and despair. In his mind, unchecked desire, excess and conscious "happiness" retarded personal growth. He believed that strife pushed us to strive, and our eternal striving led to betterment. Artem Potemkin likely wouldn't condone this stupid speech that I'm giving, and would probably ask that you all disperse from this affair altogether. He would say that the death of a man is a matter to be handled privately, with respect and in silence. He wouldn't care for your dull, utterly disinterested visages or your sole drive to reach the donuts on the table at the wake. He wasn't a misanthrope, but he was damn close. In my opinion as well as his, humanity deserves that attitude. Artem was an unfaltering, uncompromising force. And for that, I loved him like a brother. Thank you, and have a good night.