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Other possible translations from ancient Greek different from "unexamined"

English translation: unexamined life - uninquiring life

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Greek (Ancient) term or phrase:ανεξέταστος βίος
English translation:unexamined life - uninquiring life
Entered by: Nick Lingris

14:37 Sep 11, 2014
Greek (Ancient) to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Linguistics / Philosophy
Greek (Ancient) term or phrase: Other possible translations from ancient Greek different from "unexamined"
What is the specific ancient Greek word used by Socrates/Plato commonly translated in English as "unexamined" in "An unexamined life is not worth living," found in Plato's Apology, and what are other possible English words that might be used instead?
keditor
United States
Local time: 16:32
ανεξέταστος βίος - uninquiring life
Explanation:
ἀνεξέταστος βίος

From this page:
http://leiterreports.typepad.com/blog/2012/01/the-examined-l...

In quoting Socrates' prescription, it is standardly translated as "unexamined", with the implication that it is one's own life that needs examining. Liddell and Scott (the big one) gives two meanings, (a) not searched out, not inquired into or examined, (b) without inquiry or investigation, and refers to the line from Apology 38a5 in giving the latter meaning. An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon (the Middle Liddell) reinforces the point by giving (a) not inquired into or examined, (b) uninquiring, and again links Plato (without a reference to the Apology) to the latter meaning. On the scope for a verbal adjective to have both active and passive meanings, see Smyth's Greek Grammar, page 157, paragraph 472.

Liddell and Scott's decision to link Plato to (b) and not (a) does not in itself prove anything. I assume that they simply followed the opinion of Plato scholars as to the translation. But if that is a good way to read the text, the prescription looks quite different, and less easily dismissed. It would amount to saying that you should enquire into things and strive to find out the truth about the world. You might yourself be a main object of your enquiry, or you might turn your gaze outwards. Many who do not pursue an academic career might agree that the intellectually slothful life was inappropriate for human beings, even though they would probably not accept Aristotle's view that it is in the life of contemplation that perfect eudaimonia is to be found (Nicomachean Ethics, book 10, section 7).
Selected response from:

Nick Lingris
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:32


Summary of answers provided
4 +1ανεξέταστος βίος - uninquiring life
Nick Lingris


  

Answers


47 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
unexamined life
ανεξέταστος βίος - uninquiring life


Explanation:
ἀνεξέταστος βίος

From this page:
http://leiterreports.typepad.com/blog/2012/01/the-examined-l...

In quoting Socrates' prescription, it is standardly translated as "unexamined", with the implication that it is one's own life that needs examining. Liddell and Scott (the big one) gives two meanings, (a) not searched out, not inquired into or examined, (b) without inquiry or investigation, and refers to the line from Apology 38a5 in giving the latter meaning. An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon (the Middle Liddell) reinforces the point by giving (a) not inquired into or examined, (b) uninquiring, and again links Plato (without a reference to the Apology) to the latter meaning. On the scope for a verbal adjective to have both active and passive meanings, see Smyth's Greek Grammar, page 157, paragraph 472.

Liddell and Scott's decision to link Plato to (b) and not (a) does not in itself prove anything. I assume that they simply followed the opinion of Plato scholars as to the translation. But if that is a good way to read the text, the prescription looks quite different, and less easily dismissed. It would amount to saying that you should enquire into things and strive to find out the truth about the world. You might yourself be a main object of your enquiry, or you might turn your gaze outwards. Many who do not pursue an academic career might agree that the intellectually slothful life was inappropriate for human beings, even though they would probably not accept Aristotle's view that it is in the life of contemplation that perfect eudaimonia is to be found (Nicomachean Ethics, book 10, section 7).

Nick Lingris
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:32
Native speaker of: Native in GreekGreek
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you very much, Nick, for your thoughtful and complete answer.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Joseph Brazauskas
50 mins
  -> Thank you, Joseph.
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