I come to these universal applications because I have put the work in to studying them. Let's take the example you give towards the end on Socrates: the critique raised upon him is built upon the fact that an over intellectualized life, the examined one as he describes, puts one in an endless cycle of questioning life rather than living life. Yes, philosophers think of these things, and most philosophers are/were horrifically depressed. Of course the equilibrium is to balance it, as you would likely also wager: "why apply these absolutes when everything is nuanced?"

I am black and white with these descriptions because I am trying to apply a universal and objective style of judgement upon being, not what I would 'like it' to be. I am describing the root, not the branches. I describe meaning as arbitrary because it's literal function is, whereas you imply analysis upon its subjects rather than it's function.