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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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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.

AS

Nov 9, 2024

it was a course that I really liked, and the instructor has an innate gift for presenting philosophical topics, which he talks about with great passion. It's definitely his original nature :)

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201 - 215 of 215 Reviews for Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Examined Life

By Daniel H

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May 18, 2021

Interesting introduction and overview for those from non-Philosophy background but are interested in it

By Ricardo R d P

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Mar 15, 2021

I had the impression the emphasis was put on the limits, rather on the value of self-knowledge...

By Orianna S

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Apr 23, 2020

The majority of the coursework is highly useful in daily life, which I greatly appreciated.

By louis f d m p s

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Mar 17, 2019

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

By Husain A H

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May 19, 2021

The course is heavly theoritical, I like it. And I hope they add more practicality to it.

By D S

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Feb 19, 2019

Tests were pretty easy, did not challenge much. Not that that´s bad, its just a thing.

By Kali

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Sep 27, 2018

Enjoyed the lectures very much. Found it to be thought provoking and informative.

By elizabeth k

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Aug 1, 2022

It was just the right length, gaves s a thirst for more and was not boring.

By Sirinarueman M

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Apr 19, 2020

this is very new to me, good to know such that things in life.

By Wasi R

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Sep 28, 2018

Module 4 felt a bit dry but the first three were interesting.

By Eldon R C T

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Dec 18, 2024

N/A

By Yohana A

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Sep 16, 2024

I expected to have more conclusions on the course's information and material. There is much more to read on one's own compared to the guide of the teacher.

By Ann T

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Aug 12, 2022

The instructor could be more engaging in his teaching style.

By Paul G

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Feb 22, 2023

Very informative. Good, dense lectures.

By Mihane M

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Nov 13, 2024

no certificate boo