On Lonergan's Insight: A Study Of Human Understanding

Selina Sophia T. Jumuad AB Philosophy (Pre-Law) 1 On Insight, a study of human understanding Abstract: Insight is the known in the happening and the happening when we are knowing. It is both an activity and knowledge in which it has three levels: experience (presentation), understanding (intelligence), and judgment (reflection, rationality). In this paper, I shall argue that insight is a fundamental structure of inquiry that is present in all thinking people in all forms of endeavor, which is supported by the arguments: insight as conscious and exhibiting intentionality, insight encompassing three levels of process, and insight as not a type of intuition. By acknowledging this innate capability, one will be able to nurture the self, embark on a self-journey towards growth, and become more rational in order to attain intellectual progress. Through this, one will have an understanding of what it means to understand and utilize it well. This will also serve as a guide for self-reflection and the formulation of judgments in order to avoid oversights (bad insights that deviate one from progress) and shape oneself.2 Thesis: What is happening when we are 'knowing', and what is known when that is happening? Lonergan posits that insight is the