KNOW THY SELF

Review on Know Thy Self



Know Thyself

Introduction

Mr. Na'im Akbar, Ph.D, is a clinical psychologist at Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. His book "Know Thy Self" is an exemplary book in which he submits creative answers to the discussion on African Americans education. Reading this book is similar to be in the hands of a thorough brain surgeon who is working meticulously to bring back a mind to health. He presents not only tools but also the procedures to determine the impact of education on the behavior of individual, advancement by community and the association amongst them. Not a lot of Africans living in U.S, unfortunately, are even aware with the existence of Mr. Akbar.

Overview

To read Mr. Akbar is to understand somebody who is in love with black people. The African concept of self is described by him as a sensible belief of African intellect and philosophy, which is a basis for defeating mis-education. According to him, the foundation for comprehending the humankind lies in self definition and not the other way around. Two crucial objectives are achieved by his presentation of a convincing argument. First, the term effective education is explained by him. Second, workable processes are offered by him that can be used by anyone in order to liberate the mind thus educating the behavior to go along.

Unlike the European model of reality in which ego is advocated, the core of African reality and self concept is soul. The detachment of spirit or soul from the self does not happen in the self concept of African people. The responsibility of principles, customs and the heritage of competency communicated by several educational systems supporting the development of people are revealed by Mr. Akbar. The intrinsic restrictions that should take place, and will take place, underneath the impact of ...