Morality continues to be one of the most critical factors that define the well-being of the society. However, the technological advancements and modernity that characterize the 21 st century continue to pose the most significant challenge to the moral standards and a cause of concern for the widespread decadence experienced among the youths. In the documentary "Examined Life," Cornel West opens by intimating that it does not take one to go to school to be a philosopher. In using the Socratic imperative, the only way humanity can remain in the realms of morality is through courage. Moral decadence among the youth can, therefore, be solved through the application of courage, which according to West, helps in examining the dark corners of an individual's soul.
Courage in the literal sense means overcoming fear or applying bravery in undertaking a given cause. West acknowledges that courage is the single most important character that people must exhibit. One of the immoral characters mostly associated with the youths is drug abuse. It is however common knowledge that the abuse of illicit drugs such as marijuana and cocaine amongst others not only exposes them to the criminal justice system but is a high risk to their health. Drug abuse is almost turning into a norm among the young and people have resorted to law enforcement and medical help as the remedy. Despite all this, the most reliable solution would come from within an individual. West uses the analogy of a soldier fighting on the battlefield to illustrate the level of courage one ought to display. Examining the dark corners of an individual life is synonymous to what a true philosopher must do in tackling their challenges. However, this can only be possible when people become courageous enough to accept that the problem is within themselves.
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Taking an intrinsic approach in dealing with immoral issues is the primary way of finding their solutions. In dealing with drug addiction, many cases of relapse have been witnessed once a person finishes their therapy. Also, once the incarcerated criminals are reprimanded for their involvement in drug dealing, they tend to go back to their gangs and continue with their norms. It is in this regard that West applies the Socratic imperative approach that would assist in self-examination and identification of possible hurdles that hinder progress. For instance, the youths who are deeply ingrained in drug abuse could appreciate the potential debilitating risks that drugs have on health and the productivity of a nation. West goes ahead to assert that ‘’courage is the enabling virtue for any philosopher.’’ Courage empowers people to identify their obstacles and forge a way forward in remedying their problems.
Courage has an essential role in the life of any individual facing a potentially life-threatening situation. West regards it's a universal solution to the many challenges affecting people in the world. In replicating the mind of a philosopher, human beings can use courage as a tool to think, love, and also to remain hopeful in life. In looking at this in the context of immorality such as drug abuse, human beings can benefit tremendously. Policymakers must now focus on empowering the youth and giving them the internal strength to determine a sense of direction in their lives. Incarceration and condemnation of such acts only add to the problem because it robs the youth an opportunity to understand that the solution lies within them. It would help in saving immense energy and resources in inculcating discipline and a sense of autonomy in rallying the youth to look at the broader picture of such issues and subsequently inviting them to investigate their inner desires and ambitions.
Reference
West, Cornel. “Examined Life” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfD3X3f5C_w&feature=youtu.be
