Back to Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Examined Life
The University of Edinburgh

Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Examined Life

According to legend, inscribed on walls of the temple on the sacred site of Delphi in Ancient Greece were two premier injunctions: NOTHING IN EXCESS, and KNOW THYSELF. This course will be an examination of the latter injunction in an effort to discover what self-knowledge is, why it might be valuable, and what, if any, limitations it might face. What is missing from a person lacking in self-knowledge that makes her less wise, virtuous, or competent in certain areas than others who have this capacity, and what if anything might she do to fill that gap? Historical sources as well as recent research in philosophy, experimental social psychology, and neuroscience will inform our investigation, in the course of which we will become students of our own dreams, and cultivate some meditative practices. Learning Outcomes: Learners will gain familiarity with prominent themes from Western, classical Chinese, and Buddhist approaches to our knowledge of ourselves. In the course of doing so, they will gain an appreciation of the relation of self-knowledge to wisdom, of the value of intellectual humility, as well as of methods of learning about oneself that do not depend on introspection. Learners will also become familiar with contemporary research in experimental social psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience into the emotions, the unconscious, the role of affect in decision making, and self-deception. They will also gain an appreciation of a challenge to the assumption of a coherent, unified self that derives from the Buddhist tradition. --- This course was created by a partnership between The University of Edinburgh and Humility & Conviction and Public Life Project, an engaged research project based at the University of Connecticut and funded by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation. Learners can apply for Financial Aid directly with Coursera to assist with the cost of accessing the full course and gaining a certificate for successfully completing the course.

Status: Personal Development
Status: Empathy
BeginnerCourse20 hours

Featured reviews

NW

5.0Reviewed May 17, 2020

This was incredibly fun and relatively easy to follow. The additional readings were also helpful in painting a better picture of the topics. Very recommended!

DA

5.0Reviewed Feb 18, 2021

My Gratitude to the Teacher. He was Great. Thank you so very much Sir! Be well and keep influencing people the best way possible

PS

5.0Reviewed Jul 7, 2020

A really good course about different philosophical ideas from several philosophers about the examination of life. The teaching technique is really good and easy to understand.

MS

5.0Reviewed Aug 24, 2020

A brilliant course. It teaches much ability to think and much useful knowledge. Also it is very engaging and a pleasure to take.

C

5.0Reviewed Aug 18, 2022

This course was amazing! I loved the extracurricular activities (readings, assignments and the meditative moments) which helped to contextualise the material learned in an interdisciplinary context.

MS

4.0Reviewed Aug 1, 2023

I gained insights into how philosophy evolved through ages. I always had some questions about what people in my history books actually said and did. I am grateful for what I learned.

KB

5.0Reviewed Sep 6, 2020

I wasn't sure what to really expect but this was a great course to get me thinking and challenge me along the way. The meditative moments were SO lovely.

SR

4.0Reviewed May 15, 2023

It was an interesting course, but it was too short and sweet. I wish it would have gone more in depth into some topics / been longer. But overall the lectures were interesting.

ST

5.0Reviewed Jun 21, 2020

Really in depth and easy to follow information on a great array of topics, philosophers and philosophies. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest of learning new knowledge .

CD

5.0Reviewed Aug 19, 2022

Absolutely fabulous and what a delightful Professor *.*Thank you to all your wonderful & great team.You are the VERY BEST.Enjoy your life and week-end ~.~

TD

5.0Reviewed Sep 2, 2023

A very interesting course. There are a lot of opportunities for self-reflection. I’ve always enjoyed philosophy, and this course seemed to hit the high notes. Thank you!

PH

5.0Reviewed Dec 21, 2020

A highly informative course that took its students on a clear step by step journey through a variety of philosophical thought. Enroll, you won't be disappointed.

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