Examining Quote by Benjamin Barber
“Where once the student was taught that the unexamined life was not worth living, he is now taught that the profitably lived life is not worth examining.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Jihad vs. McWorld by Benjamin Barber, 1995
The shift from valuing unexamined life to valuing profitable life discourages deep reflection.
In simple terms: Profit focus reduces self‑examination.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize reflective thinking over material success.
Themes
philosophy
ethics
modernity
Mood
critical
contemplative
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- education
- career planning
- personal development
- policy making
Key Concepts
existentialism
consumerism
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How does profit‑driven culture affect personal growth?
- Can we balance success with self‑knowledge?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the intrinsic value of introspection.
![“I think psychologically [Margaret Thatcher] is really worth studying. I am reading Charles Moore's biography of her, and he has gotten us right there with a woman who lived the unexamined life, and lived it deliberately, and who has contempt for history, even her own.” quote by Hilary Mantel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/13a/hilary-mantel-440_biographies_i-think-psychologically-margaret-thatche_206296.jpg)
