Know Thyself

by Mitchell S. Green

Know The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge takes the reader on tour of the nature, value, and limits of self-knowledge. Mitchell S. Green calls on classical sources like Plato and Descartes, 20th-century thinkers like Freud, recent developments in neuroscience and experimental psychology, and even Buddhist philosophy to explore topics at the heart of who we are. The result is an unvarnished look at both the achievements and drawbacks of the many attempts to better know one’s own self. Key topics in this volume This book is designed to be used in conjunction with the free ‘Know Thyself’ MOOC (massive open online course) created through collaboration of the University of Connecticut's Project on Humility and Conviction in Public Life, and the University of Edinburgh’s Eidyn research centre, and hosted on the Coursera platform ( The book is also suitable as a text for interdisciplinary courses in the philosophy of mind or self-knowledge, and is highly recommended for anyone looking for a short overview of this fascinating topic.

Genres: Psychology, Philosophy, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

Published December 4, 2017

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Green's Know Thyself is a reflection on Socrates' words that the examined life is not worth living. In eight chapters, Green goes through the major philosophical considerations of knowing oneself by focusing on particular problems and major philosophers including Descartes and Locke. He puts the ideas into historical context and carefully leads the reader through various counter arguments including ones which any of us might raise. Green also includes major concepts from psychology and so includes a chapter focused on Freud. Most of the book engages concepts from the Western tradition but the last chapter engages the Buddhist perspective and finally concludes with an answer to Socrates' words.
Each chapter starts with a section laying out the terrain (introduction) followed by a section setting up the major concepts and concerns. The chapter sections following flesh out the details. Each chapter concludes with a Chapter summary -- a bulleted list of points which is most helpful -- a set of study questions, notes, introductory further reading, advanced further reading, and resources. The book includes a glossary of terms, a bibliography, and an index.
The book is well written, engaging, and Green does an excellent job of setting up the chapters and guiding the reader through. Nevertheless this is not an easy read. It is obviously set up for use in a class but it would resonant with anyone interested in these questions and knowing themselves better. It is quite challenging and provides a lot to think deeply about. The book provides insight into the philosophical and psychological issues and opportunity to appreciate other perspectives on the issues as well as get a better grounding in one's own self.
I do recommend the book, but not for the light of heart perhaps. There is a lot to chew on. Green also conducts a course with this book in the on-line MOOC platform Coursera. I recommend this course along with the book.

[Patrícia Raquel Pereira]

I recently read the first three chapters of this text as part of a Coursera course. I highly suggest it to anyone interested in philosophy. The author wrote this book believing anyone inquisitive about living a good life could benefit from exploring self-knowledge, including its nature, value, and limitations. From my learning, I began to examine and delineate a mental structure capable of helping me discern my dichotomies as a human being capable of achieving self-knowledge and having the liberty to achieve bliss on a deeper level.

[Arne de Vet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice introduction in multiple philosophical strands of thinking

I enjoyed readiong this modern philosophical review of different schools of thought about self-knowledge. Mitchell’s dissection of ideas and arguments of Socrates and Buddha are thought-provoking.