Socrates and Jung, despite their differing approaches, both argue that a true understanding of the world begins with an in-depth study of one’s own soul and essence.

From Self-Examination to Wholeness: The Philosophy of Socrates and Jun

Socrates and Jung, despite their differing approaches, both argue that a true understanding of the world begins with an in-depth study of one’s own soul and essence.

Socrates, drawing attention to the aphorism “Know thyself,” emphasized that self-exploration is the foundation of wisdom. He believed that before investigating external phenomena—space, nature, or the stars—one must first unravel the mysteries of one’s own soul.

As he once said: "One day, while conversing with the young Efidem, who hoped to attain wisdom by studying philosophical books, Socrates asked, ‘Tell me, Efidem, have you ever been to Delphi?

’ ‘Even twice,’ the youth replied. ‘Did you notice an inscription on the temple somewhere that read “Know thyself”?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Then, did you regard that inscription indifferently, or did you pay attention to it and try to observe what you really are?... Its solution should not be sought in the cosmos, but in the depths of the human spirit.'"
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With this, Socrates illustrates that self-knowledge is a fundamental step toward personal growth and the comprehension of the meaning of existence, since without understanding one’s own nature, any attempt to grasp the external world risks remaining superficial.

Jung, on the other hand, developed a psychological model of the wholeness of personality. He saw in the inner world an archetype that connects humans to higher spiritual images. According to Jung, the soul comprises not only conscious elements but also unconscious ones, and integrating all this diversity is the path to self-realization. He asserted:
"For Jung, the fundamental claim regarding the kinship between the image of Christ and certain contents of the human unconscious brings his thought very close to Christology. Indeed, the archetype of the God-Man is 'eternally present'; in Christ, it transforms into historical reality—the Incarnation. For him, the 'divine image,' whose imprint... is found in the soul, is an image of an image. Christ... is the true image of God, and in His likeness our psyche was created. Origen already thought: 'The divine image...—what else is He but our Savior, the Firstborn among creatures'; similarly, Hilary stated: 'The divine image is the Firstborn among creatures... Man was created in this image.'"
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According to Jung, knowing oneself allows a person to become aware of and integrate the hidden, unconscious aspects of their individuality, leading to the achievement of wholeness. This process of self-discovery serves as a bridge between personal experience and universal, religious symbols that reflect the higher ideals of humanity.

Thus, Socrates’ philosophical call to begin the exploration of being with oneself and Jung’s psychological idea of inner integrity demonstrate that self-examination is an indispensable necessity for understanding one’s personal essence and attaining wisdom in life.