Is it true we should know ourselves first?

Question

Is it true that since we don't know everything about ourselves we really have no way of knowing about any other thing? What does it mean that you must first understand first principles before anything else? Are we not superior to other species(animals)?

Answer 1

I think this saying works perfectly in terms of knowing yourself before really being open to getting to know and loving another person.  So, it is important that you get a grasp of who you are what you life means in this world before you worry about trying to find that perfect love or relationship.  Once you understand yourself you can have a better approach to really digging deep into the other person's soul.  

Thanks for reading!

Answer 2

Their is no better way to learn about people than to observe your own self, it is called introspection.

Answer 3

It is good to know...

But I think it is hard.

But we know about ourselves more than anybody else know about us:-)

Answer 4

Yes, of course it is true because it is ourself who judges if something is good or bad for us. So we first must know who we are, what we like, what we want, what we can do and what we can't. That requires experiencing. What we choose to experience, and what we understand from it gives us ourselves.

After knowing ourselves we can safely go further in exploring others, and understanding something from them too.

Answer 5

true i believe.

Answer 6

In order for us to know ourselves we must form relationships, and go through life.

Also we are not the superior species.

Go try to batte a shark or lion, if you believe that.

Answer 7

It is important to know yourself because what you are, how you feel, what you believe is true, your preconceptions, your stereotypes, your "I know"s, colors all that you see and do and how you approach everything you think.

So, yes it is pretty much true. Know thyself.

It is why Galellio got in trouble, his inquisitors did not know themselves. Copernicus, same problem.

It is why prejudice exists. They do not know themselves.

It is a problem for science, math, and relationships.

Answer 8

This does not apply to ALL forms of knowledge. You do not need to know your self first in order to have an ordinary job. It is more of a way of understanding SOCIETY as whole, which you are a part of, and your place in it.

Answer 9

Personally, I think you can "know" a lot of facts, for example mathematics (actually where the concept of first principles belongs), physics, economics, or . . . . how to drive, how to dance, where to shop for a book, how to sweep the floor, etc.

However, your question can be better answered by the source listed below. My favorite exposition on to "know thyself" is by Donna Rose discussing the topic in relation to the Oracle of Delphi.  The kind of points Rose discusses is probably along the lines of what you want to discover when you refer to 'knowledge of self' in your question.

It certainly helps to "know" where you're coming from, so to speak.  If you know yourself, for example your biases, your strengths, your beliefs, or level of education, then, you may be able to better discern what the truth is or at least strive for understanding given that we all have limitations.

We may be superior to the animals, but I would sure hate to fight a gorilla in hand-to-hand-combat or compete against the cheetah in the 100 meter dash at the Olympics.

Answer 10

We should know ourselves first, but instead that is the last thing we ever know, if at all.  We erect the fortress of our rationalized, idealized selves and rarely see beyond it except in episodes of cognitive dissonance, which in turn cause us to build the wall even higher, and more stoutly, on vaguely different terrain.  Eventually, we despair of ever seeing over it...