1. One paragraph summary of the key idea summarizing the major idea of the section.
I think that the main idea of this section lies within the concept that “The unexamined life is not worth living” (Socrates). Since this was the beginning of western philosophy, it must be an excellent guide to how we should live our lives. Socrates’ quote describes the importance of knowing how to direct our lives in the direction we choose. From his idea, there sprouted many others, such as Aristotle’s metaphor with the ships, which described men as ships with and without rudders. This ties in with Socrates’ quote because it emphasizes the difference between those who actively participate in live versus those who drift through. I think this idea was most important idea because it opens our eyes, like in Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, and gives us valuable direction in our lives.
2. List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this week.
a. The Five Foundational Lessons - The Five Foundational Lessons are an important idea because they make us aware of how we live. It helps us to recognize what choices we make every day and how they affect who we are and how we experience life. The Five Foundational Lessons also help us to realize our strengths and failings as far as how our choices affect us.
b. Plato’s Allegory of the Cave - Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is also a very important idea introduced in this section. The Allegory of the Cave demonstrates how we are like the prisoners in the cave, made to believe false shadows of reality. And those people who escape the cave for the higher world are usually shunned by their society (the prisoners). We need to be aware of this, because those people in our society could be correct.
c. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount - I believe all of Jesus’ teachings are important, but I always thought Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was especially important. The concept of the Beatitudes, that the lowest among us are Jesus, I’ve always thought interesting. Besides, it is a great way to live life: if we treat those who are less fortunate, how good must we feel for helping them.
I think this image is a perfect example of choices, a theme of the section. I think it does an amazing job of showing how Eve and Adam had a choice to either take or leave the fruit, and the consequence they paid for it.
4. One question you should keep with you to ponder.
Am I living an Examined Life? Am I aware of all the decisions I make and all the choices I choose? And whether I am or not, are the choices I make good choices, or do they harm me and/or others?
5. What should you try to do to make you a better person, a more faithful person, from this study?
I think at this point, the best thing I can do to make myself a better and more faithful person is to keep myself aware of the choices and decisions I make in my life, no matter how great or small they are. For example, I have the choice to either audition for SLUH shows or girls' schools shows. If I go to a girl's school, I'll have a greater chance of getting a lead, but I won't have the experience at my own school. I am forced to weigh the positive and negative aspects of these choices. I think that if I do this, since I will be more aware of myself, I will be able to make better choices, and therefore improve my life (hopefully!).
