Insight
Origin
The original notion appears to have been ‘internal sight’, i.e. with the eyes of the mind or understanding (see in adv. 12c). Compare the same use of in- in Middle English inwit (sometimes an equivalent of insight ), and Old English inȝehyȝd , inȝeþanc , etc. But subsequently there arose a tendency to analyze the word as sight or seeing into a thing or subject, although even so there usually remained the notion of penetrating into things or seeing beneath their surface with the eyes of the understanding.
Definitions
- A sight or view of the interior of anything; a deep inspection or view; introspection; frequently used with into.
- Power of acute observation and deduction; penetration; discernment; perception.
- In Marketing: Knowledge (usually derived from consumer understanding) that a company applies in order to make a product or brand perform better and be more appealing to customers.
Description
Insight is the understanding of cause and effect in a specific context. Insight can be used with 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
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.
See also
Quote
The finite dimensions of personality have to do with cosmic length, depth, and breadth. Length denotes meaning; depth signifies value; breadth embraces insight — the capacity to experience unchallengeable consciousness of cosmic reality.[1]
