Why are physical and mental self-knowledge among the most valuable things we may possess?

Question

Why are physical and mental self-knowledge among the most valuable things we may possess?

Answer 1

If you are talking about self-knowledge in the sense that Socrates was referring to you are assuming that most people possess them.  I doubt if they really do.  The rarity of physical and mental self-knowledge is what makes it valuable.

On the other hand, if you mean the self-knowledge that all normal healthy people possess that allows them to walk and talk without having to be self aware of their actions, then the value comes from the fact that when it is lost, such as to a disease, the person has to struggle to regain some capability to walk and talk.   Often, body self-knowledge is lost forever.  In cognitive sciences we refer to these capabilities as the body schema, the unconscious feedback the brain is continually receiving for body condition, position, and safety, and body image, the mental image we have of ourselves at a conscious level.

Answer 2

I don't know.

Why?

Answer 3

know thyself. the rest should fairly easy.

Answer 4

i cant really answer because i dont know exactly what you mean by "physical self knowledge" ?

Answer 5

Our Latin name comes from mental self-knowledge: Homo sapiens sapiens. It describes how and why we are the "rational animal."

This sapient sapience allows us the physical self knowledge beyond other animals' knowledge of their own capabilities. We can put men back together again, and even give them man-made parts.