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

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Examined Life by The University of Edinburgh

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559 ratings

About the Course

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....

Top reviews

C

Aug 17, 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.

ST

Jun 20, 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 .

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101 - 125 of 192 Reviews for Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Examined Life

By Amy S

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Apr 26, 2020

An absolutely wonderful course, easy to follow with thoughtful prompts and assignments.

By Robert M

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Dec 2, 2022

The inner self, the mind, unconsciousness, consciousness, subconscious, preconscious.

By Kim S

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Oct 8, 2021

This was really excellent. Dr. Green really made abstract principles very accessible.

By nadia a

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Aug 3, 2020

For me, it was an essential course to widen my knowledge in myself and in philosophy.

By Ruth M

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Mar 17, 2024

Excellent course. I learned a lot. Thank you, Professor Mitchell Green and Coursera.

By Belinda G

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Sep 27, 2020

Excelente experiencia, sobre todo porque está en otro idioma y es un reto de verdad

By Rosylu C

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Mar 30, 2020

I understand more about myself, and how deep we can go to understand ourselves.

By Rick S

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Jul 21, 2019

A course that has impacted the way I live and think. Would recommend to anyone.

By Anna M

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Mar 27, 2021

It was really very interesting and deep.

It will help me in my working process.

By Sawsan W

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Feb 18, 2021

Well organized course, easy to follow lecturers, excellent reading resources.

By Jessica I S

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Aug 17, 2020

A wonderful introductory course into the idea of the self. Highly engaging.

By Ranjana S

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Nov 9, 2019

The course is well paced and covers very interesting and insightful topics

By Michael C

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Aug 3, 2022

An excellent course. I enjoyed it and the teacher was clear and gentle.

By Shyenne B

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Apr 17, 2020

Very educational and I love how engaged you can be with the course!

By Emma T

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Apr 25, 2020

I really enjoyed this course - I found it very thought-provoking.

By Ritesh K

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Mar 12, 2019

Wonderful course..! though yet to know more to know Thyself..!!!!

By Abigail S

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Oct 24, 2020

had fun! more or less easy to follow, just challenging enough !

By Ni W C

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May 24, 2020

this lesson teach me a lot especially reflection about myself.

By Deleted A

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Jun 25, 2020

able to process information and reflect on life experiences

By Kevin V

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Jul 29, 2020

Excellent course; thought-provoking. Also entertaining.

By Karl H

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Jul 20, 2023

Prof Green is great, info and references were all great

By Francos G S A

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Jan 23, 2021

nice course... very effective way of doing the quizzes.

By Karen P

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Jun 3, 2019

Very interesting course. Engaging and well structured.

By Davis T

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May 8, 2020

Amazing course, cannot wait to start the second part!

By Asif H

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May 9, 2020

A vey good course to know about oneself, one’s mind.