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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

4.6
stars
405 ratings
•
139 reviews

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

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 .

DB
Jun 23, 2020

This is a well put together course. It is beneficial to borrow or purchase the course textbook. I enjoyed the course instructor and his use of meditation breaks every so often was great.

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101 - 125 of 142 Reviews for Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Examined Life

By David T

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Aug 31, 2018

Best philosophy course on Coursera, hands down

By Luciana A S d A

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Aug 8, 2020

It made me question and want ot know more !

By Gifty A

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Aug 19, 2021

Interesting course, it is worth learning.

By Laura F

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May 29, 2020

Very interesting and fun to watch/listen!

By DN

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Apr 11, 2020

Concise, clear and thought provoking.

By Jona B

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May 16, 2020

a journey within worth participating

By Ebraheem Z

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May 1, 2021

Fantastic course, very informative.

By Prashant S S

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May 2, 2019

Very nice and informative course

By tuna e

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Aug 20, 2020

Fun, engaging and informative!

By Victoria M

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May 6, 2020

So great! Loved this course!

By Jocelyn g

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Apr 4, 2020

interesting and well taught

By Bharat S

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Jul 17, 2020

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

By BOEHM J

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Oct 25, 2020

Excellent course !

By John C

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May 22, 2020

wonderful / thanks

By Mohamed O

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May 8, 2020

Easy and Amazing!

By Fran E

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Sep 10, 2020

Very informative

By Gary W

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Apr 2, 2020

Excellent course

By Jessica R

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Jan 17, 2021

Great! Thanks.

By Gustavo A V A

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Nov 3, 2020

I loved it!!

By Mahonri B C

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Nov 28, 2019

Excelente!!

By Dottie R

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Jun 8, 2020

Brilliant!

By Jeanette A A

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May 18, 2020

Excellent!

By George C M

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Sep 4, 2018

Excellent.

By Darryl R

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Jun 30, 2021

5 star.

By Aditya C

•
Aug 10, 2020

great!

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