Insight

Insight is the understanding of a specific cause and effect in a specific context. The term insight can have several related meanings:

  • a piece of information
  • the act or result of understanding the inner nature of things or of seeing intuitively in Greek called noesis
  • an introspection
  • the power of acute observation and deduction, penetration, discernment, perception called intellection or noesis
  • an understanding of cause and effect based on identification of relationships and behaviors within a model, context, or scenario (see artificial intelligence)

An insight that manifests itself suddenly, such as understanding how to solve a difficult problem, is sometimes called by the German word Aha-Erlebnis. The term was coined by the German psychologist and theoretical linguist Karl Bühler. It is also known as an epiphany.

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Famous quotes containing the word insight:

    But every insight from this realm of thought is felt as initial, and promises a sequel. I do not make it; I arrive there, and behold what was there already. I make! O no! I clap my hands in infantine joy and amazement, before the first opening to me of this august magnificence, old with the love and homage of innumerable ages, young with the life of life, the sunbright Mecca of the desert.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    Humor brings insight and tolerance. Irony brings a deeper and less friendly understanding.
    Agnes Repplier (1858–1950)

    Light half-believers of our casual creeds,
    Who never deeply felt, nor clearly will’d,
    Whose insight never has borne fruit in deeds,
    Whose vague resolves never have been fulfill’d.
    Matthew Arnold (1822–1888)