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

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.

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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.

What's inside

Syllabus

Getting started

Socrates and the Examined Life

At his trial, charged with corrupting the Athenian youth, Socrates isn't exactly apologetic. He tells the jury to their faces that they only charged him because they don't like that he forces them to confront uncomfortable truths. Somewhat unsurprisingly, the jury sentences him to death. Socrates accepts the sentence unfazed, famously stating that he'd rather die than stop making people think, as 'an unexamined life is not worth living'. In this module we will examine this dictum and ask: was Socrates right to throw shade on the unexamimed life?

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the human self, which is a popular topic in philosophy, literature, and the arts

Taught by Dr. Mitchell Green, who has written extensively on the philosophy of self-knowledge

Examines the concept of self-knowledge from multiple perspectives, including Western, classical Chinese, and Buddhist approaches

Develops critical thinking and self-reflection skills, which are valuable for personal growth and development

Requires learners to have a basic understanding of philosophy and psychology

Reviews summary

Deep dive into self-knowledge

According to learners, this course offers a profound exploration of self-knowledge from diverse philosophical and scientific perspectives. Many find the instructor highly knowledgeable and engaging, praising the way complex ideas are presented. The content is often described as thought-provoking and valuable for personal growth, encouraging significant introspection and reflection. While the breadth of topics, including philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience, is a major strength, some learners note that synthesizing these disparate areas can be challenging. It is particularly well-suited for those seeking a deep, academic understanding rather than practical skills, requiring a willingness to engage with challenging material.

Demands significant introspection and intellectual engagement.

"This isn't a passive course; it really makes you work and think hard about the concepts."

"You need to be willing to engage deeply with the material and reflect on your own life."

"It requires careful consideration and isn't always easy to digest, but worth the effort."

"Be prepared to dedicate time to thinking about the questions raised beyond the lectures."

Integrates philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience.

"I loved how the course brought together philosophical ideas with modern science like psychology and neuroscience."

"Exploring self-knowledge from Western, Eastern, and scientific viewpoints was fascinating."

"The course provides a comprehensive overview drawing from diverse disciplines."

"It was great to see different perspectives like Descartes contrasted with modern psychological views."

Course material encourages deep reflection and introspection.

"This course has genuinely changed the way I think about myself and the world."

"The material is very deep and encourages significant personal reflection."

"It gave me a lot to think about regarding my own life and beliefs."

"I found the topics discussed profoundly thought-provoking and relevant to the examined life."

Instructor is highly praised for expertise and teaching style.

"The lecturer is clearly a subject matter expert and conveys the ideas effectively."

"I found the professor's insights incredibly valuable and his delivery engaging throughout."

"The instructor's passion for the subject made the lectures very interesting to follow."

"I really appreciated the way the professor explained complex philosophical concepts."

Focus is theoretical rather than on actionable self-improvement.

"If you're looking for practical self-help techniques, this course is more academic."

"It provides understanding, but doesn't offer direct 'how-to' steps for change."

"The value is in the knowledge and perspective gained, not in immediate practical application."

"I was hoping for more tools for self-improvement, but it's really about the theory of self-knowledge."

Integrating diverse topics can feel disjointed for some.

"While the breadth is good, sometimes it felt like jumping between very different subjects without a clear thread."

"I struggled a bit to connect the philosophical ideas seamlessly with the neuroscience findings."

"Putting all the different perspectives together into a coherent understanding was the hardest part for me."

"Some parts felt like distinct lectures rather than building blocks of a single topic."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Examined Life with these activities:

Read 'Know Thyself' by Bernard Williams

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the concept of self-knowledge in Western philosophy.

View Truth and Truthfulness: An Essay in Genealogy on Amazon

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Read chapters 1-3
Write a summary of the main arguments presented in these chapters
Discuss the implications of Williams' arguments for our understanding of ourselves

Practice mindfulness meditation

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Practicing mindfulness helps you to develop self-awareness and to be more present.

Browse courses on Self-Knowledge

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Sit in a comfortable position
Close your eyes and focus on your breath
When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath

Organize and review your notes

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Keeping your notes organized ensures you have all of the material at your fingertips.

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Create a system to categorize your notes
File your notes in the appropriate folders
Review your notes on a regular basis

Six other activities

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Review key concepts from psychology

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Familiarizing yourself with psychological concepts will provide a stronger foundation for the course.

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Identify the key concepts from psychology that are relevant to the course
Review these concepts using textbooks, articles, or online resources
Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding

Write a journal about your dreams

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This activity will help you to become more aware of your unconscious mind and to gain insights into your own personality.

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Choose a time to write each day
Record your dreams in as much detail as possible
Analyze your dreams for themes and patterns

Form a study group

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Working with a group will help you understand the course material and engage with it more deeply.

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Find students who are taking the same course
Schedule regular meetings
Discuss the course material and work on problems together

Develop a self-improvement plan

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A self-improvement plan will accelerate your progress to being more knowledgeable about yourself.

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Identify your areas for growth
Set specific, achievable goals
Develop a plan to reach your goals

Volunteer at a local organization

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This will help you to develop empathy and compassion, and to learn more about yourself and your place in the world.

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Find an organization that aligns with your interests
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Complete the necessary training and paperwork

Create a presentation on a topic related to self-knowledge

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Developing a presentation strengthens your ability to communicate your ideas effectively.

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Choose a topic that you are passionate about
Research your topic thoroughly
Organize your material into a clear and concise presentation

Career center

Learners who complete Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Examined Life will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Psychotherapist

A Psychotherapist helps people improve their mental health and well-being. They use a variety of techniques to help their clients identify and cope with mental health issues. Self-knowledge is essential for Psychotherapists, as it allows them to understand their own motivations and biases. This course can help Psychotherapists develop the self-awareness and understanding they need to be effective in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychotherapist

Philosopher

Philosophers study the fundamental nature of reality and existence. They ask questions about the meaning of life, the nature of knowledge, and the relationship between mind and body. Self-knowledge is essential for Philosophers, as it allows them to critically examine their own beliefs and assumptions. This course can help Philosophers develop the critical thinking and analytical skills they need to be successful in their work.

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Neuroscientist

Neuroscientists study the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They use a variety of techniques to understand how the nervous system functions and how it contributes to our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Self-knowledge is essential for Neuroscientists, as it allows them to understand their own biases and limitations. This course can help Neuroscientists develop the self-awareness and understanding they need to be successful in their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Neuroscientist

Psychologist

Psychologists study mental health and behavior. They use a variety of techniques to help their clients understand and cope with mental health issues. Self-knowledge is essential for Psychologists, as it allows them to understand their own motivations and biases. This course can help Psychologists develop the self-awareness and understanding they need to be effective in their work.

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Sociologist

Sociologists study human societies and social interactions. They use a variety of techniques to understand how societies function and how they change. Self-knowledge is essential for Sociologists, as it allows them to understand their own biases and limitations. This course can help Sociologists develop the self-awareness and understanding they need to be successful in their work.

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Theologian

Theologians study religion and spirituality. They use a variety of techniques to understand the nature of God, the meaning of life, and the relationship between faith and reason. Self-knowledge is essential for Theologians, as it allows them to critically examine their own beliefs and assumptions. This course can help Theologians develop the critical thinking and analytical skills they need to be successful in their work.

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Historian

Historians study the past and how it has shaped our present. They use a variety of techniques to research and interpret historical events. Self-knowledge is essential for Historians, as it allows them to understand their own biases and limitations. This course can help Historians develop the self-awareness and understanding they need to be successful in their work.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study human cultures and societies. They use a variety of techniques to understand how cultures work and how they change. Self-knowledge is essential for Anthropologists, as it allows them to understand their own biases and limitations. This course can help Anthropologists develop the self-awareness and understanding they need to be successful in their work.

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Archaeologist

Archaeologists study human history and culture through the excavation and analysis of material remains. They use a variety of techniques to understand how past societies lived and how they changed. Self-knowledge is essential for Archaeologists, as it allows them to understand their own biases and limitations. This course can help Archaeologists develop the self-awareness and understanding they need to be successful in their work.

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Museum curator

Museum Curators are responsible for the care and preservation of museum collections. They use a variety of techniques to research, interpret, and display museum objects. Self-knowledge is essential for Museum Curators, as it allows them to understand their own biases and limitations. This course can help Museum Curators develop the self-awareness and understanding they need to be successful in their work.

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Archivist

Archivists are responsible for the care and preservation of historical records. They use a variety of techniques to research, interpret, and display archival materials. Self-knowledge is essential for Archivists, as it allows them to understand their own biases and limitations. This course can help Archivists develop the self-awareness and understanding they need to be successful in their work.

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Librarian

Librarians are responsible for the care and preservation of library collections. They use a variety of techniques to research, interpret, and display library materials. Self-knowledge is essential for Librarians, as it allows them to understand their own biases and limitations. This course can help Librarians develop the self-awareness and understanding they need to be successful in their work.

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Teacher

Teachers are responsible for educating students. They use a variety of techniques to teach students about different subjects. Self-knowledge is essential for Teachers, as it allows them to understand their own biases and limitations. This course can help Teachers develop the self-awareness and understanding they need to be successful in their work.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people cope with personal and social problems. They use a variety of techniques to help their clients improve their lives. Self-knowledge is essential for Social Workers, as it allows them to understand their own biases and limitations. This course can help Social Workers develop the self-awareness and understanding they need to be successful in their work.

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Counselor

Counselors help people cope with personal and social problems. They use a variety of techniques to help their clients improve their lives. Self-knowledge is essential for Counselors, as it allows them to understand their own biases and limitations. This course can help Counselors develop the self-awareness and understanding they need to be successful in their work.

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