Quote by Hans-Georg Gadamer
Long before we understand ourselves through the process of self-examination, we understand ourselves in a self-evident way in the family, society and state in which we live.
Summary
This quote suggests that our understanding and perception of ourselves start prior to any conscious self-reflection. Instead, it begins through the different environments we grow up in - our families, societies, and states. These external factors shape our identity and contribute to our self-awareness. It implies that our sense of self develops inherently through the interactions, values, and norms ingrained in the communities and systems we are a part of, even before we consciously reflect on our own thoughts, emotions, and experiences.