The statement, "Know Thyself," is attributed to the early Greek philosopher Socrates. Socrates is famous for arguing that to be wise is to Know Thyself, and writing that the unexamined life is one not worth living. It is often thought that Socrates wisdom was that he knew that he didn't know about himself and by implications about the reasons for the actions and behaviors of others; the foolishness of his fellow Athenians was that they didn't know that they didn't know. Socrates believed that the most important knowledge to be pursued involves self-knowledge and that to understand oneself is to understand other human beings as well.
According to an essay written by William O'Meara and published online by James Madison University, psychology means the study of the self, and that only the individual can decide the meaning of one's life-experience meaning that an individual cannot ask others to accept responsibilities for his or her actions. Although people determine the meaning of life for themselves, the science of psychology can help people struggling to understand themselves. As a science, psychology tries to understand thoughts, emotions, and human behavior. The applications of psychology include treating mental illness as well as helping individuals to cope with the pressures, problems, emotions, uncertainties, and issues that sometimes overwhelm them in their everyday lives (O'Meara, 1997).
According to an essay by Kendra Van Wagner published online by About.com, psychoanalytic therapy is one of the most well-known forms of treatment. Therapists generally spend time listening to patients talk about their lives. The psychologist will look for patterns or significant events that may play a role in the client's current difficulties. Psychoanalysts believe that childhood events as well as unconscious feelings, thoughts, and motivations play a role in mental illness and maladaptive behaviors. In traditional psychotherapy...