Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Unconscious

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/know-thyself-the-unconscious

Introduction

# Course Review and Recommendation: "Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Unconscious" ### Overview If you’ve ever found yourself puzzled by your own decisions or behavior, you're not alone. Human psychology is a labyrinth of twists and turns, where the conscious mind often clashes with the elusive realm of the unconscious. "Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Unconscious" on Coursera dives deep into this intriguing landscape, guiding learners through the origins and evolution of unconscious thought, while unraveling the complexities of self-knowledge. Aimed at psychology enthusiasts, philosophy buffs, or simply anyone interested in better understanding themselves, this course promises a captivating exploration of an often-overlooked area of human experience. ### Course Structure and Content The course is structured into four engaging modules, each building on a critical aspect of the unconscious. 1. **Getting Started**: The introduction sets the stage by outlining course objectives, topics to be covered, and expectations for learners. It’s a gentle and informative opening that prepares students for the intellectual journey ahead. 2. **The Freudian Unconscious**: In its first week, the course delves into the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud—the father of psychoanalysis. Students will engage with Freud’s revolutionary theories about the unconscious mind and how they challenge conventional wisdom about human behavior. Expect to grapple with compelling questions: Why do we err in ways that seem irrational? What can dreams tell us about our inner lives? 3. **Freud's Legacy**: The second week pays homage to Freud's successors, Anna Freud and Melanie Klein. Their contributions expand on Freud’s ideas and explore the psychological development of children. This segment will illuminate key psychoanalytic concepts, such as transference and reaction-formation, which are fundamental to understanding interpersonal dynamics in everyday life. The inclusion of contemporary issues like gaslighting adds societal relevance to this historical discussion. 4. **The Adaptive Unconscious**: In the third week, you'll explore recent developments in the study of the unconscious mind, termed the "adaptive unconscious." This module sheds light on how our brains process information automatically—a function that has both benefits and drawbacks. It provides a contemporary lens through which to view biases that persist in modern society, positioning the course at the intersection of psychology and social justice. 5. **Rationality and Emotions**: The final module examines the relationship between rational thought and emotional experience, challenging popular notions that suggest they are mutually exclusive. Through the lens of neuroscientist Antonio Damasio's work, you’ll discover how emotions are integral to decision-making and rationality, enriching your understanding of what it means to be human. 6. **Final Assessment**: The course wraps up with an opportunity for students to apply their newfound knowledge in a final assessment, solidifying their understanding of unconscious processes. ### Recommendation I wholeheartedly recommend "Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Unconscious" for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and human behavior. The course is intellectually stimulating and offers a comprehensive examination of topics that are relevant both personally and socially. It balances theoretical depth with real-world applicability, making it a valuable resource for students, professionals, and curious minds alike. The thoughtful structure breaks down complex theories into digestible segments, ensuring that learners are both informed and engaged throughout. Additionally, the course cultivates a sense of critical thinking and self-reflection—skills that are invaluable in our increasingly complex world. As you venture into this course, be prepared for challenging discussions that may shift your perceptions of yourself and others. After all, knowledge of the unconscious is not merely an academic pursuit; it is an invitation to engage with the deeper currents of your own psyche. Happy learning!

Syllabus

Getting started

Here you will get an overview of this course, including the topics covered and questions addressed, as well as what you need complete the course.

In this first week of the course we will acquaint ourselves with the ideas of Sigmund Freud, who is probably the most famous advocate and practitioner of psychoanalysis. Shockingly for his time, Freud proposed that many facts of human behavior, including the mistakes we make, what we dream, as well as much behavior that seems on the surface to be irrational, are to be explained as being due to forces in our minds of which we are not conscious. We will look at Freud's reasons for this hypothesis and consider whether those reasons are compelling.

In this second week of the course we explore some developments in psychoanalytic theory that were dominant in the middle of the 20th Century. Focusing on the work of Anna Freud (Sigmund Freud's youngest daughter) and Melanie Klein, we will consider some psychoanalytic themes that emerged after Sigmund's death. Both of A. Freud and Klein were intensely interested in the psychological development of children, and we will learn about some of their ideas on this topic. Also, we will consider some phenomena that have potential resonance for our daily lives such as transference, reaction-formation, and what is now termed "gaslighting".

Much of the last three decades of research related to the unconscious mind has focused on its automatic character, and draws attention to the vast extent of cognitive and affective processing that occur with little or no conscious effort. Such processing is thought to have been evolutionarily adaptive in the past, as well as to simplify our daily lives even now. But these processes can also be hard to modify if they are not working for us, and may account for certain biases that seem to perpetuate some current forms of injustice in many of the world's societies. In this third week of the course we will learn about the "adaptive unconscious", paying attention both to the benefits it confers and the challenges it raises.

In this final module we will consider the relation between emotions and rationality. These are popularly thought to be at odds with one another, and many people hold that to be rational, one must keep emotions at bay. With a focus on the work of neuroscientist Antonio Damasio, we will consider reasons for thinking that one important kind of rationality could not function properly without emotions.

Apply your knowledge of the unconscious!