"The Examined Life"

Paper Summary:

The paper analyzes chapters of the book "The Examined Life" by Robert Nozick, concluding that, according to the book, the best way to live is not simply for others, as a kind of guilty compulsion, or to live in a way that does not make one happy. The paper further concludes that the best way to live is not simply seeking pleasure, nor desiring to hurt others, leaving a legacy of suffering behind. The paper elaborates that through the pursuit of excellence, and sustained and hard-won happiness, one adds value to one's character. The writer feels that this pursuit establishes a meaningful connection with the world, impressing others with one's dedication, and hopefully shining as an example to one's family, colleagues, and friends.

From the Paper:

"One reversal of Nozick's procedures for living an examined life might be to first find what makes one truly happy. Of course, happiness, however, must not be confused with pleasure. It might be pleasurable to take a day off from school, but ultimately real happiness comes only with the satisfaction of completing a course by showing one's best effort. Then, after determining that one's highest form of hard-won happiness might come from working with numbers (as opposed to the transient pure pleasure of eating an ice cream cone on a warm day) an individual can craft a career and life over the course of his or her existence."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Nozick, Robert. The Examined Life. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1990.

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• Analytical Essay # 10719 : "Business as a Calling: Work and the Examined Life by Michael Novak"

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