Examined Life - Cornel West

Summary

This thought-provoking discussion delves into philosophy, self-examination, and the pursuit of truth. It explores how examining oneself requires courage and discipline, emphasizing that philosophy is not confined to academia. The speaker reflects on mortality, transformation, and the limitations of human understanding. With references to Socrates, Plato, and existential thinkers, the conversation highlights the importance of embracing failure and imperfection in the quest for wisdom. Music, art, and culture are also linked to philosophical inquiry, demonstrating how different mediums influence our understanding of life, truth, and meaning.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The unexamined life is not worth living, as Socrates argues, and self-examination requires immense courage and discipline.
• 🔍 Critical self-reflection involves questioning untested assumptions and presuppositions, leading to personal transformation.
• 💪 Courage is essential in philosophy, as it allows individuals to confront the dark corners of their souls and think critically.
• 🕊️ Philosophers like Plato and Montaigne connect truth-seeking with learning how to die, emphasizing personal transformation over static truth.
• ⚖️ Truth is fallible and elusive, meaning human beings can never fully grasp it. We can only make claims about small truths and remain open to revision.
• 🎶 The speaker emphasizes the importance of music, particularly jazz and blues, as a philosophical and existential expression of life’s rawness and complexity.
• 🎭 Romanticism’s obsession with wholeness and harmony is critiqued, with the speaker advocating for embracing dissonance and catastrophe, particularly in art forms like jazz.
• 💔 Failure and disappointment are integral to the human experience, but they should be reframed as part of the journey toward greater meaning and achievement.
• 🇺🇸 America’s idealistic self-image as a perfect democracy is challenged by its history of injustice and oppression, calling for a more realistic and humble approach to progress.
• 🔄 The search for meaning is a continuous process, not an end goal. Nihilism and meaninglessness are significant challenges, but striving toward meaning is itself valuable.

Q & A

What does Socrates mean by 'the unexamined life is not worth living'?

Socrates believes that a life without self-reflection, where one does not question their beliefs, assumptions, and actions, is not fulfilling. It is essential to critically examine oneself to grow and live meaningfully.

What is the role of courage in philosophical self-examination according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes that examining oneself requires great courage, as it involves confronting uncomfortable truths about oneself. It takes more courage to explore the 'dark corners' of one’s soul than to engage in physical combat.

Does one need to attend school to become a philosopher?

No, the speaker argues that becoming a philosopher does not require formal education. Philosophy is about the love of wisdom and the discipline to think critically, which anyone can pursue with courage and self-examination.

How does the speaker view death in the context of philosophy?

Death, in philosophical terms, is not seen as a final event but as a metaphor for transformation. The speaker refers to Montaigne’s idea that 'to philosophize is to learn how to die,' meaning that accepting and reflecting on death leads to personal growth and change.

What is the connection between truth and suffering in the speaker’s view?

The speaker cites Adorno’s idea that the condition of truth is to allow suffering to speak. Truth is not just a set of propositions about the world but is deeply tied to human experiences, especially suffering, which gives it existential meaning.

How does the speaker differentiate between Truth (with a capital 'T') and 'truth' (with a lowercase 't')?

The speaker explains that humans can never fully grasp absolute Truth (with a capital 'T'). Instead, we make fallible, revisable claims about 'truth' (lowercase 't') that are always open to revision. The pursuit of truth is ongoing and never complete.

Why does the speaker believe music, especially jazz and blues, is central to understanding philosophy?

The speaker believes music, particularly jazz and blues, captures the rhythm and emotion of life in a way that words cannot. Music, with its dissonance and improvisation, reflects the chaotic and unpredictable nature of existence, offering deep philosophical insights.

What is the speaker’s critique of Romanticism?

The speaker critiques Romanticism for its obsession with harmony and totality. Instead, they argue that life is filled with dissonance, failure, and catastrophe, and embracing this reality is more authentic than the Romantic ideal of achieving wholeness.

How does the speaker view America as a project, and what are its flaws?

The speaker describes America as a fragile democratic experiment built on the dispossession of Indigenous lands, slavery, and marginalization of various groups. While America has potential, it’s essential to acknowledge its flawed foundation and not hold onto a romanticized vision of perfection.

Why does the speaker say that failure should not always be viewed negatively?

The speaker argues that failure can lead to valuable experiences and growth. Instead of lamenting failure, one should appreciate what was achieved and embrace the lessons learned, recognizing that perfection is unattainable in human endeavors.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 The Courage to Examine Life and Seek Truth

This paragraph delves into the philosophy of self-examination as advocated by Socrates and Plato. It discusses how examining oneself requires courage and discipline, noting that this process leads to personal transformation. The speaker highlights that philosophy is not limited to formal education but rather a lifelong pursuit of wisdom. The conversation touches on existential themes, the necessity of acknowledging one's limitations, and how suffering and death are integral to personal growth and truth.

05:01

🎶 Music, Pleasure, and Life’s Rhythms

The second paragraph explores Plato's views on music, specifically the contrast between the flute and the lyre in 'The Republic.' The speaker discusses the importance of music in life, using Plato’s deathbed request for flute music as an example of how people seek pleasure and fulfillment. The speaker extends this to broader discussions on intellectual and aesthetic pleasures, the role of music in shaping human emotions, and how art forms like poetry and jazz encapsulate the deeper truths of existence.

10:04

💔 The Fragility of Life and the Concept of Failure

This paragraph examines the philosophical ideas of failure, romanticism, and the fragility of life. The speaker critiques the romantic notion of totality, arguing that failure should not be seen as a negative but as a natural part of life’s journey. By referencing historical figures like Beethoven, the speaker reflects on the limitations of human potential, the inevitability of decline with age, and the importance of appreciating life’s achievements, even in the face of setbacks.

Keywords

💡Self-examination

Self-examination refers to the Socratic practice of questioning one's own beliefs, assumptions, and motivations. In the video, it is discussed as a critical part of philosophy, requiring courage and discipline. It is about reflecting on who we are and our own values, which leads to personal transformation. This aligns with Socrates' famous statement that 'the unexamined life is not worth living.'

💡Courage

Courage in this context refers to the mental and emotional strength required to confront difficult truths about oneself and the world. The speaker emphasizes that it takes more courage to critically examine the 'dark corners of your own soul' than it does to fight on the battlefield. Courage is presented as a foundational virtue for both philosophers and anyone seeking wisdom or personal growth.

💡Death

Death is explored philosophically, not merely as the end of life, but as a metaphor for transformation and rebirth. Plato views philosophy as 'preparation for death,' meaning that in order to grow and change, one must let go of old ways of thinking. The speaker cites both Plato and Montaigne, who emphasized that to philosophize is to learn how to die, linking the concept to the broader theme of truth and existential inquiry.

💡Truth

Truth is depicted not as a fixed set of facts, but as a process or journey. The speaker discusses how humans can never fully grasp 'Truth' (with a capital T), but can only access partial, fallible truths. Truth, in this context, is tied to humility, finitude, and the recognition of our limitations. The journey toward truth requires continuous questioning and revision of one's understanding.

💡Finitude

Finitude refers to the human condition of being limited in understanding and power. The speaker emphasizes that our inability to fully comprehend reality is a key theme in existential thought, whether religious or secular. Acknowledging finitude leads to a more humble and open-minded approach to truth and wisdom, as we recognize that human knowledge is always incomplete.

💡Romanticism

Romanticism is discussed in contrast to other philosophical approaches. The speaker critiques Romanticism’s obsession with achieving harmony and wholeness, suggesting that it often leads to disappointment. Instead, they propose embracing the dissonance and imperfections of life, as seen in blues and jazz, which begin with catastrophe and personal tragedy. This shift away from idealized perfection reflects a more grounded, realistic perspective on life.

💡Blues and Jazz

Blues and jazz are used as metaphors for resilience and creative expression in the face of life's catastrophes. The speaker describes themselves as a 'Blues Man in the life of the mind' and a 'jazz man in the world of ideas.' These musical genres represent personal catastrophe, lyrically expressed, and reflect the ability to navigate and survive through hardship. This is contrasted with Romanticism’s idealism.

💡Philosophy

Philosophy, according to the speaker, is not about academic credentials but a deep love of wisdom. It involves the disciplined practice of critical thinking, self-examination, and seeking truth. Philosophy is framed as a way of life, where thinkers engage in the process of questioning, challenging assumptions, and preparing for death, both literally and metaphorically, as a path to transformation.

💡Meaninglessness

Meaninglessness is presented as a serious challenge, especially in the context of nihilism. The speaker suggests that grappling with the idea of a meaningless life is an important philosophical endeavor. However, making sense of meaninglessness itself can be seen as an achievement. The quest for meaning is ongoing, and one never fully reaches it, which mirrors the process of seeking truth.

💡American Dream

The American Dream is critically examined in the video as a 'romantic project' that is fundamentally flawed. The speaker points out that the idealized vision of America—often seen as a perfect democratic experiment—is built on the dispossession of indigenous lands, slavery, and systemic inequalities. This critique challenges the notion of America as a 'City on a Hill,' encouraging a more realistic and critical understanding of the country's history and potential.

Highlights

Plato's famous quote, 'The unexamined life is not worth living,' is used to challenge the audience to interrogate their assumptions and engage in self-examination.

Philosophy doesn't require formal education—being a philosopher means loving wisdom, which requires discipline and courage to think critically.

Courage is emphasized as an essential virtue for any philosopher, enabling critical thought and introspection.

Plato's concept of philosophy as preparation for death is explored, highlighting the importance of transformation and rebirth through personal change.

The idea that truth is tied to suffering, as proposed by Adorno, suggests that genuine understanding of truth requires confronting human suffering.

Human beings can never fully grasp 'Truth' with a capital T; we can only access fallible, small truths that remain open to revision.

Existential thinkers, both secular and religious, emphasize the finitude of human understanding and the mystery inherent in truth.

Music is fundamental to understanding life and philosophy—whereas Plato focused on words, the speaker argues for the inclusion of musical elements like tone and rhythm.

The speaker points out the irony that although Plato banned the flute in his ideal Republic, he requested flute music on his deathbed.

A critique of Romanticism is raised, especially the obsession with achieving harmony and totality in life, which often leads to disappointment.

Blues music is highlighted as a form of personal catastrophe lyrically expressed, embodying resilience and elegance in the face of life's calamities.

The speaker contrasts the romantic obsession with loss to their Christian view of time as a gift and a giver, acknowledging failures while celebrating what has been accomplished.

America is portrayed as a fragile democratic experiment built on the dispossession and oppression of marginalized groups, challenging the myth of American exceptionalism.

The problem of meaning is considered essential to philosophy, with nihilism and meaninglessness recognized as serious challenges.

Meaning is not a static goal; it is an ongoing process that involves constantly striving for better understandings without ever fully reaching a conclusive end.

Transcripts

unexamined life is not worth living

Plato says in line 38a of the

apology how do you examine yourself what

happens when you interrogate yourself

what happens when you begin to call into

question your tested assumptions and

unarticulated

presuppositions and begin then to become

a different kind of person

so do you have to go to school to be a

philosopher oh God no thank God you

don't have to go to school no a

philosopher is a lover of

wisdom takes tremendous discipline takes

tremendous courage to think for yourself

to examine yourself the socratic

imperative of examining yourself

requires courage you know William Butler

yat used to say it takes more courage to

examine the dark corners of your own

soul than it does for a soldier to fight

on the

battlefield courage to think critically

you can't talk courage is the enabling

virtue for any philosopher for any human

being I think in the end courage to

think courage to love courage to

Hope Plato says philosopher is a

meditation on and a preparation for

death and by death what he means there's

not an event but a death in life because

there's no rebirth there's no change

there's no transformation without death

and therefore the question becomes how

do you learn how to die of course

montain talks about that his famous

essay to philosophize is to learn how to

die you can't talk about truth without

talking about learning how to

die I believe that the oorno was right

when he says that the condition of Truth

is to allow suffering to

speak that gives it an

existential emphasis see so that we're

really talking about truth as a way of

life as opposed to Simply truth as a set

of positions that correspond to a set of

things in the

world human beings are unable to ever

gain any Monopoly on Truth capital T we

might have access to truth small T but

they're fallible claims about truth we

could be wrong have to be open to

revision and so on so there is a certain

kind of mystery that goes hand in hand

with truth this is why um so many of the

existential thinkers be be they

religious like my C or paulic or be they

secular like kamu and S that they

accenting our finitude and our inability

to fully grasp the ultimate nature

reality the truth about things and

therefore there you talk about

truth being tied to the way to

truth because once you give up on the

notion of fully grasping the way the

world is you're going to talk about what

are the ways in which I can sustain my

quest for

truth how do you sustain a journey a

path toward truth the way to truth so

the truth talk goes hand in hand with

talk about the way to truth and

scientists could talk about this in

terms of you know inducing evidence and

drawing reliable conclusions and so

forth and so on a religious folk could

talk about this in terms of surrendering

one's arrogance and pride in the face of

divine revelation and what have you but

there are all ways of acknowled in our

finitude and our

fallibility I want all of the rich

historical uh colorations to be manifest

in talking about our

finitude being born of a woman in stank

and stench what we I'd call Funk being

introduced to the funk of life in the

womb and the love push that gets you out

right and then your body is not just

death but the way Vio talks about here

Vio is so much better than haiger Vio

talks about it in terms of being a

corpse see Hyer doesn't talk about

corpses he talks about death it's still

too

abstract absolutely read The Poetry of

John Dunn he'll tell you about corpses

that

decompose well see that's history that's

the raw funky stanky stuff of life

that's what Blues men do you see that's

what Jazz men do

see I'm a Blues Man in the life of the

mind I'm a jazz man in the world of

ideas therefore for me music is Central

so when you're talking about poetry for

the most part Plato is talking primarily

about U uh words whereas I talk about

notes I talk about tone I talk about

temper uh uh I talk about rhythms see

for me music is fundamental Floy must go

to school not only with the poets Floy

needs to go to school with the musicians

keep in mind Plato bans the flute in the

Republic but not the

liar why because the flute appeals to

all of these various SIDS of who we are

given his tripartite conception of the

soul the rational and and the spirited

and

thetive and the flute is appeals to all

three of those where think the L one

string only peels the one and therefore

it's permissible now of course the irony

is when Plato was on his deathbed what

did he do well he requested thian girl

to play music on the

flute I'm a Christian but I'm not a

Puritan I believe in pleasure and

orgiastic pleasure has its place

intellectual pleasure has its place

social pleasure has its place television

pleasure has its place you know I like

certain TV shows and my god when it

comes to music oh you know Beethoven's

302 Sonata Opus 111 unbelievable

aesthetic pleasure uh say would be true

for Curtis Mayfield or the Beatles of

what have

you there's a certain uh pleasure of the

life of the mind that cannot be denied

it's true that you might be socially

isolated because you're in the library

at home and so on but you're intensely

alive in fact you're much more alive

than these folk Walk In These Streets of

New York in crowds which is no

intellectual

interrogation and questioning going at

all but if you read you know John rusin

or you read a um Mark Twain or my God

hermit mville you almost had to throw

the book against the wall because you

was almost so intensely alive that you

uh need a break get electrified exactly

it's time to take a break and get get a

little dullness in your life you know

take M dick throw it against the wall

the way Gera threw VES work against the

wall it was just too much

made gerder REM it reminded gerder of

the darkness that he was escaping after

he overcame those suicidal impulses

which saw as a young brother in the

1770s and made his move toward

neoclassicism in

viar uh there are certain things that uh

make us too alive almost it's almost

like being too intensely in love you

can't do anything it's hard to get back

to Kronos hard to get back to everyday

life you know what I mean that kairotic

dimension of of being in love with

another person everything is so mean

eing for you want to sustain it you just

can't do it you know you got to go to

the bathroom have a drink of water

[ __ ] Romanticism thoroughly saturated

the discourse of modern thinkers can you

totalize can you make things whole can

you create Harmony if you can't

disappointment disappointment is always

at the center failure is always at the

center but where do the Romanticism come

from why begin with romanticism

see I don't believe give in

Romanticism no you remember Beethoven

said on his deathbed you know said I've

learned to look at the world in all of

its darkness and evil and still love it

and that's not romantic beeen this is

the beeen of the string quartets of 131

the greatest the greatest string quartet

ever written Not Just In classical music

but of course it's European forms

Beethoven is the Grand Master but stream

quartet you go back to those movements

there no no romantic holess to be

shattered as in early be told he's

giving up on that you see this is where

checkoff begins this is where the blue

starts it's where Jazz starts you think

Charlie Parker's upset because he can't

sustain a Harmony he doesn't care about

the harmony he's trying to completely

ride on the dissonance ride on the Blue

Notes of course he's got Harmony in

terms of his interventions here and

there but why start with this obsession

with holess and if you can't have it

then you're

disappointed want to have a dream and

Melancholia and blah blah blah blah blah

no you see the blues my kind of

Blues begins with catastrophe it begins

with the angel of history and in

Benjamin's thesis you see it begins with

the p

wreckage on one pile on another that's

the starting point the blues is personal

catastrophe lyrically

expressed and black people in America

and in the modern world giving these

vicious legacies of Supremacy it is how

do do you generate an Elegance of earned

self togetherness so that you have a

stick to itness in the face of the

catastrophic and the calamitous and the

horrendous and the scandalous and the

Monstrous see part of the problem though

is that see when you have a romantic

project you're so obsessed with time as

loss and time is a t ER whereas as a

jovian Christian I want to stress as

well time as a gift and time as a giver

so that yes it's failure but you know

how good is the failure done some

wonderful things now Becca could say you

know try again fail again fail better

but why call it failure I mean why not

say you have a sense of gratitude that

you're able to do as much that as you

did you're able to love as much and

think as much and play as as much why

think you needed the whole thing you see

it I mean this is even disturbing about

America and of course America is a

romantic project it's PID diesil City on

the hill and all this other mess and

lies and so on I said no no America is a

very fragile Democratic experiment

predicated on the dispossession of the

lands of indigenous peoples and the

enslavement of of African peoples and

the subjugation of women the

marginalization of of gays and lesbians

that it has great potential but this

notion somehow you know we had it all or

ever will have it all it's got to go you

got to push it to the side and once you

push all that to the side then it tends

to evacuate the language of

disappointment and the language of

failure and you say okay well how much

have we done how have been able to do it

can we do more we're in certain

situations you can't do more it's like

trying to break dance at 75 you can't do

it anymore you are Master at 16 It's

Over You Can't Make Love at 80 the way

you did at 20 so what sh time is

real so one question that keeps coming

up or a you know a phrase this idea of

the meaningful life do you think it is

philosophy's duty to speak on this a

meaningful life how to live a meaningful

life is that even a relev is that even

an appropriate question for a no I think

it is no I think the problem of meaning

is very important nihilism is a serious

challenge

uh meaninglessness is a serious

challenge even making sense of

meaninglessness is itself a kind of

discipline and

achievement the problem is of course you

never reach it you know it's not a

static stationary teos or end or aim

it's it's a process that one never

reaches it's sopan you're going up to

heel looking for uh better meanings or

grander more enabling enabling meanings

but never reach it uh you know in that

sense you die without being able to have

the hole in the language of romantic

discourse let me just jump out here in

the

corner okay you all thank you very much

thank so much you sir take good care now

you

too e