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Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge

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.

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Rating 4.5★ based on 72 ratings
Length 5 weeks
Effort 4 weeks of study, 3 levels of commitment: Learn (1.5h/week), Engage (3h/week), Go Further (3+h/week)
Starts Jul 3 (43 weeks ago)
Cost $49
From The University of Edinburgh via Coursera
Instructors Mitchell Green, Dr Simon Fokt
Download Videos On all desktop and mobile devices
Language English
Subjects Art & Design Humanities
Tags Arts And Humanities Personal Development Philosophy

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What people are saying

very interesting

Very interesting, I think it is a great start to the knowledge of thyself this background.

Very interesting the meditations.

Very interesting course and subject.

The course is well paced and covers very interesting and insightful topics Its a wonderful course but the only thing i think it lacked was the actual connection to knowing thyself.It explores philosophical theories but nothing clinical psychological truths about knowing oneself better.

A very interesting and illuminating course that provided exposure to diverse theories about the 'self'.

Very interesting course.

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mitchell green

Sad that it is not available for the public now, but really hope Dr. Mitchell Green would teach this class again!!

Professor Mitchell Green is a great teacher..He explained difficult notions very understandable ways.

Thanks and kudos to Mitchell Green and Simon Fokt for a really worthwhile learning experience.

A BIG Thank you, Prof Mitchell Green!

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go further

Even if there is only time available to take the basic level there are materials available to engage and go further into the subject as laid out.

It is well thought out, the materials are good and there are many links to go further.

One of the best resources available on the subject of Self Knowledge that is not only accessible, but with pointers for further study to go further & deeper.

I am grateful for the 'go further' bit .

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meditative moments

Also, I enjoyed a lot the meditative moments.

The meditative moments of "mono-tasking" were a bonus!

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best mooc

This is probably the best MOOC class I have ever taken!

The best MOOC I've ever taken, its a great shame it hasn't ran again as I'd love to revisit it.

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really enjoyed

Very nice and informative course s Great content, really enjoyed taking this course.

ممتازة Hello Mitch, Thank you very much for the course; I really enjoyed it.

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well explained

The course was well laid out, well explained, the videos and animations helped visually and the added extras such as questioning events in your own life and the meditative moment really made for an engaging learning experience.

this course was super well explained, lovely to watch, and very easy to absorb and apply to self through the introspection questions.

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lot about

I learned a lot about philosophy and myself.

I've Learned a lot about this course.

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Rating 4.5★ based on 72 ratings
Length 5 weeks
Effort 4 weeks of study, 3 levels of commitment: Learn (1.5h/week), Engage (3h/week), Go Further (3+h/week)
Starts Jul 3 (43 weeks ago)
Cost $49
From The University of Edinburgh via Coursera
Instructors Mitchell Green, Dr Simon Fokt
Download Videos On all desktop and mobile devices
Language English
Subjects Art & Design Humanities
Tags Arts And Humanities Personal Development Philosophy

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