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What do I know about myself ? Do I know myself well ? Do I know myself at all ?

Perhaps everyone at some point in his/her life asks these questions. I have certainly asked myself more than once. The answer is difficult. I cannot claim to know all about myself. I do know that every day I learn more.

It is necessary to know oneself as much as possible. We humans are conditioned animals - not only through heredity, but also through customs and social practices. I am not sure what percentage of our thoughts and actions can be claimed as original - I suspect for the majority, only a small percentage would qualify. Most of the time we repeat what we have been taught. To know oneself one has to try to identify thoughts that are original, so that gradually, the conditioning can become visible, until one is face to face with reality. By reality I mean the real person - but I realise that such a phrase is probably meaningless. Perhaps I can explain what I mean somewhat indirectly. As I learn about myself, I become more aware of why I act in certain ways; I am able to observe myself and analyse my actions and emotions in terms of cause and effect. I may still behave in a conditioned way but now I am more aware of the conditioning and its effect on my behaviour.

What is the benefit of knowing oneself ? One major benefit to me has been that I have tried to change. Another benefit has been that it has made me a more rational person. As I have tried to eliminate the conditioning that defines my behaviour, I have attempted to gradually replace the conditioning with reason.

To give you a few practical examples. One of the ways I am conditioned is that I have been taught honesty. Honesty in the sense of obedience to the law. As I became aware of this conditioning, I realised why at the slightest deviation from the law, I get worked up. It is certainly good for the social structure to have law-abiding citizens. However, it...