The Purpose of the Examined Life in Socrates Philosophy

The Unexamined Life and Gilgamesh

Introduction

Gilgamesh's journey in the epic can be seen as a transition from an unexamined life to an examined one, mirroring Socrates' assertion about the worth of an examined life. This transformation is marked by his encounters with mortality, friendship, and wisdom, which ultimately lead to his self-realization and change. For Socrates, the examined life is the only life worth living. This is why, when confronted with death, he continues to examine things rather than give in to fear: "That would have been scandalous, and someone might have rightly and justly brought me to court for not acknowledging that gods exist, by disobeying the oracle, fearing death, and thinking I was wise when I wasn't. You see, fearing death, gentlemen, is nothing other than thinking one is wise when one isn't, since it's thinking one knows what one doesn't know” (44). For Socrates, it is more important to be honest with oneself and about oneself than to try to put on airs or indulge in self-righteousness. For Socrates, humility is the key step in the process of examination: "I'll obey the god rather than you, and as long as I draw breath and am able, I won't give up practicing philosophy, exhorting you and also showing the way to any of you I ever happen to meet, saying just the sorts of things I'm accustomed to say" (44). This applies substantially to Gilgamesh, for example in Gilgamesh's fear of death after the loss of his friend Enkidu. In Tablet VII, Gilgamesh mourns Enkidu's death and expresses his fear of his own mortality. He believes he understands the nature of life and death, but his fear reveals his lack of true wisdom. Just as Socrates suggests, Gilgamesh's fear of death is a sign of his unexamined life. He believes he knows what death entails, but his understanding is limited and flawed. However, the Epic is about transformation, and the Apology can also be related to Gilgamesh's journey to find Utnapishtim in Tablet IX. Despite the obstacles and discouragements, Gilgamesh persists in his quest for knowledge about immortality. His journey can be seen as a form of practicing philosophy, as he seeks wisdom and understanding about life and death. Thus, Gilgamesh represents a change from lack of examination to embodying the examined life worth living.

What is the Unexamined Life?

Socrates' assertion that "the unexamined life isn't worth living for a human being" is one of his most famous quotes and is central to his philosophical approach. It comes from Plato's "Apology," which is a record of the speech Socrates gave at his trial for corrupting the youth and not believing in the gods of Athens.

The phrase "the unexamined life isn't worth living" encapsulates Socrates' belief in the necessity of self-reflection and introspection. To Socrates, an "unexamined" life is one lived mechanically or without thought, simply going through the motions without questioning or understanding why one is doing what they're doing. It's a life lived without curiosity, without questioning one's beliefs, values, or actions, and without seeking to understand the world around oneself.

In contrast, an "examined" life involves constant questioning and seeking of knowledge. It is a life where one's beliefs, actions, and the world around them are continually scrutinized and evaluated. This process of examination, according to Socrates, leads to wisdom and virtue, and it's this pursuit of wisdom and virtue that gives life its value.

Therefore, when Socrates says that "the unexamined life isn't worth living," he's asserting that a life without self-reflection, without questioning, and without the pursuit of wisdom and virtue is a life without true value or meaning. It is a call to live a life of active, conscious engagement and continual learning, rather than one of passive acceptance and conformity.

Gilgamesh's Unexamined Life

Gilgamesh is depicted as a king who uses his power without consideration for the welfare of his subjects. He is described as a tyrant who imposes his will on the people of Uruk without any regard for their well-being or consent. This is evident in Tablet I, where the citizens of Uruk cry out to the gods, pleading for relief from Gilgamesh's oppressive rule. They describe him as a king who "does not leave a son to his father... day and night his tyranny grows harsher."

This behavior reflects an unexamined life as defined by Socrates. Gilgamesh is not introspective or self-aware; he does not question the morality of his actions or consider their impact on others. He lives in a state of ignorance, believing that his power gives him the right to act as he pleases. This lack of self-examination and moral consideration aligns with Socrates' view of an unexamined life as one that is not worth living.

Furthermore, Gilgamesh's initial arrogance and disregard for others can be seen as a form of false wisdom. He believes he knows what is best and uses his power to enforce his will, much like Socrates' description of those who fear death as thinking they are wise when they are not. Or, as Socrates states, those with false wisdom “thought himself to be wisest about the other things, the most important ones; and this error of theirs seemed to overshadow their wisdom” (35). Gilgamesh's false wisdom connects to his fear of death (which is born of ignorance) and to his quest for immortality later in the epic.

Encounter with Mortality and Friendship

The friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is a pivotal element in the "Epic of Gilgamesh." Enkidu, initially a wild man living among animals, is tamed and brought to Uruk, where he challenges Gilgamesh's tyranny and becomes his closest companion. Their friendship softens Gilgamesh's harsh rule, and together, they embark on heroic adventures. This relationship introduces Gilgamesh to companionship and mutual respect, elements that were missing in his earlier, unexamined life.

However, it's Enkidu's death that truly shakes Gilgamesh and forces him to confront his own mortality. In Tablet VIII, Gilgamesh mourns Enkidu's death with a profound sense of loss and fear. He laments, "Must I die too? Must I be as lifeless as Enkidu?" This is a moment of realization for Gilgamesh, where he acknowledges the inevitability of death and the transient nature of life. His fear of death, similar to Socrates' description of those who fear death as thinking they are wise when they are not, reveals his lack of understanding about the nature of life and death.

This encounter with mortality forces Gilgamesh to examine his life and actions. He begins to question the meaning and purpose of his existence, especially in the face of inevitable death. This introspection marks the beginning of his transition from an unexamined life to an examined one. He realizes that his previous actions, driven by arrogance and disregard for others, were futile in the grand scheme of life and death.

In this context, Enkidu's death serves as a catalyst for Gilgamesh's self-examination and transformation. It forces him to confront his mortality, question his actions, and seek a deeper understanding of life—just as Socrates does in the face of death in the Apology. Socrates does not shrink from death but rather uses it is a launch pad for justifying the examination of life that he teaches in his philosophy. Thus, Gilgamesh’s journey towards self-examination and wisdom aligns with Socrates' assertion about the worth of an examined life.

Quest for Immortality and Wisdom

Gilgamesh's quest for immortality following Enkidu's death is a significant part of his journey towards an examined life. This quest, driven by his fear of death and desire for eternal life, leads him to Utnapishtim, the only human granted immortality by the gods. This journey is not just a physical one, but also a philosophical exploration of life, death, and the human condition.

In Tablet XI, Utnapishtim shares his story with Gilgamesh, explaining how he attained immortality after surviving a great flood sent by the gods. However, he also imparts a crucial piece of wisdom: immortality is not the key to a meaningful life. Instead, he advises Gilgamesh to cherish the joys of human life and to rule his people with wisdom and justice. This advice resonates with Socrates' philosophy of valuing an examined life over a long, unexamined one.

Thus, Utnapishtim's wisdom serves as a turning point for Gilgamesh. He begins to understand that his quest for immortality is futile and that the true value of life lies in its quality, not its duration. This realization prompts him to examine his life and actions more deeply, leading to his transformation.

Moreover, Utnapishtim sets Gilgamesh a task to stay awake for six days and seven nights to earn immortality, a task which Gilgamesh fails. This failure further underscores the human limitations that Gilgamesh must accept. It is a humbling experience that forces Gilgamesh to acknowledge his mortality and the limitations inherent in human life. In this context, Gilgamesh's quest for immortality and the wisdom he gains from Utnapishtim align with Socrates' assertion about the worth of an examined life. His journey reflects the transformative power of self-examination and the pursuit of wisdom, reinforcing the central argument of this paper.