In one of the Platonic dialogues, Socrates said “Unexamined life is not worth living”

For Plato, finding the meaning of life starts with focusing on your own existence rather than blindly

accepting opinions and beliefs. He believes that we often adopt ideas without truly understanding

them or connecting them to a universal purpose. Socrates, Plato's prominent figure, employs

a unique conversational method rooted in doubt and scrutiny. He questions every

statement and definition that governs our lives, asking fundamental inquiries like

"Why do you believe that?" or "Can we consider alternative viewpoints?" This approach can be

applied both in conversations with others and when pondering personal decisions.

For instance, you can practice this by asking these questions when facing life's challenges.

Let's say you're at a crossroads in your career. You've been working in a job for several years,

but you're feeling unfulfilled and uninspired. You're contemplating whether to stay in your

current job or explore new career opportunities. Using Plato's approach, you might start by

asking yourself some fundamental questions: Why am I in this job in the first place? This

question prompts you to reflect on your initial motivations and whether

they still align with your current situation. What do I truly enjoy and value in my work? Here,

you delve into the aspects of your job that bring you satisfaction and fulfillment.

Am I following this career path because of societal expectations or personal

passion?This question encourages you to examine whether external pressures or your own genuine

interests are driving your choices. Could there be alternative career

paths that better align with my values and aspirations?You could explore whether there

are different career options that might offer a more meaningful and satisfying experience.

And finally how can I verify or disprove my assumptions about my career choices? This

prompts you to seek evidence or gather information that supports

or challenges your beliefs about your career. As you ponder these questions, you may realize

that your current job no longer aligns with your values and aspirations. This might lead

you to consider a career change, perhaps pursuing a path that resonates more with your true passions

and desires. Plato's philosophy encourages you to undergo a process of self-examination and,

if necessary, a significant life direction shift to pursue a more meaningful and purposeful path.

Imagine that your beliefs and choices in life are like shadows on a wall. These shadows aren’t the

real thing, just distorted representations. Plato suggests that to truly understand the meaning of

life, you need to move away from these distorted beliefs and find a more solid foundation,

akin to stepping out of the shadows and into the light. This process of moving from ignorance to

understanding is what Plato calls "conversion." It's like waking up to a new awareness.

To do this, you need to look inward and discover your genuine desires and needs that bring true

value to your life. Plato always says that this process of conversion might mean making big

changes in your life, like giving up things that don't really matter to you and focusing on what's

most important. It's about always searching for a deeper meaning in everything you do.