Know Thyself

by Na'im Akbar

How wonderful it is to taught by a free teacher, a spiritual teacher, a member of our family who truly loves the family, an architect of tranforming processes, a defender of African people, a beacon, a Son of Africa, a divine spirit manisfesting our creative genius. Thousands of thousands of people know Dr. Na'im Akbar as a special treasure. This book is another important gift from him to us. It is our responsibility to study these thoughts, carfully. To follow these teachings is to guarantee our liberation and to guide us toward our destiny. From forward by Asa G. Hilliard, III, Calloway Professor of Education at Georgia State University, Atlanta.

Genres: Psychology, History, Spirituality, Nonfiction

83 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1999

About the author

Dr. Na'im Akbar has been acclaimed by Essence Magazine as "one of the world's preeminent Psychologists and a pioneer in the development of an African-centered approach in modern psychology." Akbar has served as Associate Professor at Norfolk State University, was Chairman of the Morehouse College Psychology Department and is currently on the faculty in the Department of Psychology at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. . He has served on the Boards of Directors of a variety of important civic and professional organizations, including several terms on the Board of the National Association of Black Psychologists, which he was elected president in 1987. He has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Black Studies and for eight years was the associate editor of the Journal of Black Psychology.

Akbar is a graduate of the University of Michigan, with both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology and has received many honors for his progressive and landmark contributions to his specialized studies of the psychology of the African American. Among these are the "Annual Member Award" and recognition as a "Distinguished Black Psychologists" by the National Association of Black Psychologists for his outstanding scholarship and research in African Psychology.

The published volumes of Dr. Akbar's works are excellent illustrations of the unique and special approach he has taken to the role of an activist scholar. His volumes are targeted to a mass audience. Though the concepts that he presents are highly sophisticated, they are presented in a concise and simple way that readers with minimal education and possibly no familiarity with mainstream psychology will be able to comprehend the ideas from his books and increase their understanding of themselves. Though his scholarly status is unquestioned this area of his work is targeting a much broader audience than would likely encounter his works prepared for advanced students, professional colleagues and for the dialogue of the academy. He feels very strongly that truly relevant ideas should be available to as wide an audience as possible in order that they may study these ideas and apply them to their lives and to their communities. The measure of success for this aspect of his scholarship becomes the number of people from various walks of life that have been able to study these ideas, change their lives and their world.

Reviews

[Shannette Slaughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Akbar has built a wonderful case for the need for the inner journey. Who are we and why are we really here. Self-knowledge is the precursor to growth and Liberation.

[Clifford Onehundredd · Rating 5 out of 5]

KNOW THYSELF by Na'im Akbar is a must need on every Black person's shelf. This small book is packed with so much insight that it will definitely allow you to shift your focus inward and study to know the self. This book shouldn't be skimmed, it isn't a light read, if you're like me you'll end up highlighting much of the contents. The advice in this book should be studied and applied. I damn-near highlighted the whole book. This is definitely a good book for those who are waking up to Black Consciousness. I highly recommend this book to be added to everyone's library, The motto echoed by many civilizations including the Greeks, The African Kemetic people and other ancient denominations is "Man, Know Thyself." I argue that Akbar's book Know Thyself will get you on the road to mental liberation if you apply and study his work. This book is best to read after reading his previous work Community Of Self, and Breaking The Chains Of Psychological Slavery.

[April Lee]

This book provided great intellect on educating African American culture correctly, providing knowledge of truth, through history and genetics. It can pave a way for new beginnings.

[Pres. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Akbar really did his thing with this one. I really enjoyed reading this. Not only were the ideas, analysis, etc. on point, but he kept it very simple and concise. After reading Ani’s “Yurugu” that was SO appreciated! (reading both this and Yurugu back to back has been great. If I could do it again I’d definitely pick up this one first though). Akbar deals first with a chapter on the importance of education, before going into a short, yet in-depth description of the traditional African conception of the Self. He then relates education to power, followed by a chapter describing just how to “Study the Self,” and he finishes with a discussion on the ways we must educate ourselves. Within these chapters, some highlights for me were Akbar’s acknowledgment of the importance of learning from nature and from our own physical nature (the body), the importance of including spirituality in science, and a quick description of Imhotep. Also, I loved that he devoted very few paragraphs and pages to bashing the European West/Eurocentrism/white folks. We love a good burn of course but I really appreciate the focus here.

I would give this book to any Black person, for real. I feel that the concepts inside are delivered in such a way that even someone who has never read anything remotely in this realm before would understand it and extract a ton of value from it. We gotta get educated (properly)!!

[Kev · Rating 5 out of 5]

the destination to self recognition

[Jerry Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short read, however very good. Although the book is targeted primarily towards African Americans, it isn't done in an overly racial and exclusive manner, it's an easy read for anyone of any race.

[Tresvon · Rating 5 out of 5]

POWERFUL!

I learned some years ago that if it isn't simple, it isn't true. This book was simple and hit so many points in so few pages that I Cosby believe I hadn't looked at some things with this clarity sooner.

Well done, sir. Must read

[Andra · Rating 5 out of 5]

For educators of students of color. Read this.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would consider this in the category of "mindset" books, which are books that you read to help your mindset or focus. This would apply particularly to the black folks in the USA. It echoes a lot from Carter G. Woodson's "Miseducation of the Negro" profiling why Black folks in the USA are miseducated from the beginnings of their formal education. It highlights the the various reasons how and why that came to be. Akbar goes a bit more into the differences between a afro-centric and a Euro-centric education. I think Woodson's book is the superior one on the subject, but Akbar's is a great supplemental piece to that. Akbar touches on the spirituality involved in an afro-centric education. I recommend for those interested in books about Black consciousness.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of jewels within this book.

[Sean Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Akbar did an excellent job! Many gems in this book & gives a great perspective on our psychology

[Maxwanette Moncrieffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. A must-have in any home library.

[Wayne Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic

[Michael Strode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Know Thyself by Dr. Naim Akbar is a concise yet transformative text that takes readers on a journey of self-discovery rooted in African psychology and cultural wisdom. I first encountered this book during my time at the Temple of Applied Theosophy, where it was recommended as a resource for personal growth and community impact. Even now, its lessons resonate deeply with me, especially its emphasis on self-knowledge as a foundation for collective transformation.

Dr. Akbar's writing is a masterclass in accessibility and clarity. As one of the founders of Black psychology, he skillfully distills complex ideas into language that feels both profound and approachable. His framework of "deconstruction, reconstruction, and construction" is particularly striking. It challenges us to examine the miseducation we've received, correct the gaps and distortions, and build a more holistic understanding of ourselves and our histories. This methodology feels applicable not only to personal growth but also to organizational development and community building.

The chapter on "learning to educate ourselves" stood out to me the most. Akbar’s exploration of education as a transformative vehicle for consciousness reminded me of the teachings of Dr. Carter G. Woodson in The Miseducation of the Negro. Akbar expands on this legacy by situating education as a tool for passing down "immunities" against repeating past mistakes, a lesson that feels urgent and necessary in today’s world.

Another highlight is the concept of the self as inherently communal. Dr. Akbar reminds us that our identities are not isolated but deeply intertwined with our responsibilities to our broader community. This perspective reframes the often individualistic discourse of self-help into one of collective healing and accountability.

At just under 100 pages, this book is a quick read, but its impact lingers long after you close the cover. I gave Know Thyself a five-star rating because it is both a personal and communal guide, offering insights that feel timeless and practical. I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of themselves and their role in building a better world. Dr. Akbar’s work continues to inspire, and I look forward to exploring more of his texts.

[Born Uhuru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing yourself is the true answer to life. Knowing that and what unique traits do you present. We are not what we are told we are. We are what defines us and the better the knowledge of that, the sweeter the victory. Na’im Akbar gave us literary peace.

[Tama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt as though I was receiving therapy, both as a teacher and a person.

[Anita Standard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the author is on point with every observation.

[Tamara Rousseau · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most powerful reads yet.

[Corey]

Very mind opening