"The Challenge of Philosophy"

Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." Therein lies the basic and enduring challenge of philosophy. The philosopher (or wise person) continually examines life, it's purposes and presuppositions. He is concerned with critical thinking, and with clear and correct thinking.

Broadly speaking, philosophy deals with life as well as with thought. The philosopher or wise person seeks answers to basic questions about the purpose of life.

In examining the purposes of life, Aristotle said, that philosophy "begins in wonder." Man can never stop asking questions or investigating surroundings.

The question of origin, "Where did I come from?" is as old as man himself. Not all philosophers believe there is a knowable answer to this question, but they recognize that thoughtful men will continue to ask it, nonetheless. The Christian philosopher will point to the Bible, and to the first chapters of Genesis in particular, as an answer to this question from the standpoint of God's revelation.

Men also ask, "Why am I here?" This question of purpose is answered differently by many philosophers. Some admit they have no answer at all, but even so they ask the question. The existential philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre believed he answered the question, by saying that "all of life is an empty bubble on the sea of nothingness" (in other words, all of life is empty and meaningless). Many Christians on the other hand, speak of the "abundant life" in which we "glorify God and enjoy Him forever" (ultimate meaning and fulfillment).

The final question is one of destiny, "Where am I going" Martin Heidegger believes that man is a "being-unto-death." Others feel we are headed for a final "nothingness." Christians have a greater long range optimism. They believe that God's kingdom will come, and His will shall be done "on earth as it is in heaven." Bible believing Christians believe "there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun." They believe in what C.S. Lewis called "the great divorce" of heaven and hell, which will provide eternal bliss for those who say to God, "Thy will be done, "and an eternal woe for those to whom God says, "Thy will be done."

Obviously, not all philosophers come to the same conclusion about life's meaning, but they do ask the same basic questions- and in this sense, they all fulfill Socrates quote- to live the examine life, by "examining" life's purposes.


For the unexamined life is not worth living- Socrates


As a Christian, I would like to add..."The Unexamined faith is not worth believing." For Christians are encouraged "to give a reason for their hope" (1 Peter 3:15). This is part of the great command to love God with all our mind, as well as our heart and soul (Matthew 22:36-37).



"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord" (Isaiah 1:18)



Introduction to Philosophy: Norman Gesiler



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