What is Insight: Definition and 87 Discussions

Insight is the understanding of a specific cause and effect within a particular 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 (called noesis in Greek)
an introspection
the power of acute observation and deduction, discernment, and perception, called intellection or noesis
An understanding of cause and effect based on the 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, eureka moment or (for cross word solvers) the penny dropping moment (PDM). Sudden sickening realisations often identify a problem rather than solving it, so Uh-oh rather than Aha moments are further seen in negative insight. A further example of negative insight is chagrin which is annoyance at the obviousness of a solution missed up until the point of insight, an example of this being the Homer Simpson's catchphrase exclamation, D'oh!.

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  1. J

    Programs Difficulty With Major Need Insight

    I am having difficulty with choosing a major: Physics or Electrical Engineering(Micro&Nano)... Physics becuase every concept is like doorways to understanding life! I like be theoretical and imagining possibilties. All physics interest me so i wouldn't know what i want specifically until...
  2. P

    Is geometry the heart of mathematical insight?

    Richard Feynman once remarked during a lecture that the invention of analytical methods such as calculus allowed people to "be more stupid", in reference to solving problems. I think he was on to something with that remark. Often when faced with a problem which requires me to set up some...
  3. P

    Insight, spontaneous ordering?

    It seems that many top scientist, mathematicians, composers etc speak of the moment of insight, including Feynman and Bohm, and it seems to come down to when the brain is silent. Being clever as Feynman was, he sought to figure out if there was some mechanical process, some pattern that could...
  4. M

    Curious for some insight: inverse of a random matrix is really ordered

    http://www.mathworks.co.uk/products/matlab/demos.html?file=/products/demos/shipping/matlab/inverter.html http://www.mathworks.co.uk/products/demos/shipping/matlab/inverter_01_thumbnail.png ^^^ Random matrix, 100x100...
  5. K

    Understanding a Complex Algorithm: Seeking Insight and Clarity

    from my reading to DFT I constructed this algorithm V ex...>\rho ...\varphi...SCF...new\varphi>>>new\rho ...energy what your opinion in this algorithm ... is lost to some thing ? and i need to some one tell me is density come from wave function or from V-external ?
  6. C

    Engineering Insight into the Job Prospects for Those with a Nuclear Engineering Degree

    Hello, I am currently working to complete requirements to transfer to the Nuclear Engineering program at Oregon State University. I do not expect to have a BS until 2015 ( I am 33 years old and have a lot of math to catch up with). Although I am incredibly interested in this field I do need...
  7. P

    Hamilton-Jacobi theory, Insight required

    Homework Statement The problem is that i have heard about things like congruences of curves and geodesically equidistant hyper-surfaces, but have no idea how to use Hamilton-Jacobi theory to solve problems( especially in mechanics), or why it works. Why do we use this method to solve...
  8. M

    An Insight into Polar Co-ordinate Velocity

    Homework Statement Derive the equations for the velocity and acceleration vectors of a particle in polar coordinates. 2. The attempt at a solution r = xi + yj where x = rCos\Theta, y = rSin\Theta r = r(Cos\Thetai + Sin\Thetaj) v = \frac{d}{dt}r v = \frac{d}{dt}[r(Cos\Thetai +...
  9. J

    I am starting very late - a personal story and hope for insight

    I don't know much about physics. I had a passion for eastern philosophy from a fairly young age and I got into a discussion with a friend about my theories on where we come from, the energy of existence, and other such things. He asked me if I was a physics major because he had been for a time...
  10. D

    Heat of fusion of water ice and dry ice (CO2) - need some insight

    I have decided to do away with the template; all calculations have been done, I'm just having trouble interpreting the results. An experiment was performed using a calorimeter and warm water. The data collected gave the following values for heat of fusion for ice, and heat of sublimation of dry...
  11. S

    Simple 1st order ODE. Need insight

    Homework Statement Solve the 1st order linear initial value problem. (1+x^2)\frac{dy}{dx}\right) + 4xy = x , y(1)=\frac{1}{4}\right) The Attempt at a Solution Why can I get the answer solving the equation one way (below), but not they other? Method 1: (1+x^2)\frac{dy}{dx}\right) = -x(4y-1)...
  12. K

    What is the most efficient way to gain mathematical insight?

    Hi everyone. Little bit of my background: Im currently studying mathematics in the third year at university (or maybe you call it college in your country), and I have two more years left. I feel that I have affinity for physics and maths, and it is something I really want to master. My...
  13. S

    Real World Physics Situation Requires Theory and Insight

    Hello. I hope I am posting in the right section, apologies if I am not. I need help with a situation that has arisen for a colleague of mine, he asked me for help but sadly I can't give him an answer based on fact and logic. Can you please help? In his kitchen he has a glass panel which is...
  14. N

    Understanding Phonons on a Lattice: Seeking Insight from Niles

    Hi all My book says: "The reason that phonons on a lattice do not carry momentum is that a phonon coordinate (except for wavevector K=0) involves relative coordinates of the atoms". I can't quite figure this statement out. I understand the words, but I cannot see why it is an...
  15. A

    Solving a Projectile Motion Problem: Seeking Insight

    I found a similar question here from a couple years ago, but didn't see the whole problem or a complete explination of the solution so I wanted to repost and hopefully get some insight to help with figuring this whole thing out. Problem: A projectile is shot from the edge of a cliff 125m...
  16. B

    Velocity Time Graph Clarification and Insight Please

    Homework Statement What type of motion is occurring when the slope is changing and the graph is therefore curved on a velocity time graph? Homework Equations v=(delta)x/(delta)t A= (delta)v/(delta)t The Attempt at a Solution my thought is that when the slope is changing...
  17. B

    How Can Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors Be Explained Geometrically?

    Hi, I am doing my PhD in Informatics and especially graph theory. I came across eigen-analysis numerous times in the context of spectral graph theory. The question: I would like to see an *elegant geometric explanation* of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a Matrix A (symmetric, real...
  18. marcus

    Benedetti's insight connecting Loll and Reuter continuums

    An outstanding puzzle in Quantum Gravity is the strange coincidence that two of the most developed approaches both produce a continuum (by different means) which looks normal 4D at large scale but at micro scale the dimensionality gradually declines to around 2D. That is the micro geometry...
  19. S

    Programs Not sure if a physics major is right for me. Need insight into lifestyle

    I've been on the fence between a physics major and an engineering major (of some sort) but I have a few problems associated with both. First off, what is it like to be a physicist? I really don't want to sit around and crunch numbers all day and not actually do anything with all the material...
  20. L

    Any engineers do a 3+2? insight

    Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone is either currently attending, or has already gone through a 3+2 program for engineering. For those that don't know what this is, it is when you study the basic math/gen ed classes at one college, then continue to study mostly engineering at another school...
  21. G

    TED.com, and watch A Stroke of Insight

    TED.com, and watch "A Stroke of Insight" I like being 1 with everything. the easiest way that I have found to get there is through music. most specifically, winamp 5.531/shoutcast/groovesalad to help you understand.... go to TED.com, and watch "A Stroke of Insight"
  22. Cincinnatus

    Insight from invertebrate models

    Has anyone in this forum worked on translating findings from invertebrates to mammals? I'm wondering how successful this tends to be. How often are actual gene sequences conserved? When the genes are conserved, how often do they have the same function across systems? Or is the most valuable...
  23. GarageTinker

    Anyone with insight on blocking a magnetic field?

    I know RF signals can be blocked using a copper screen, for instance lining the walls of a room in order to block out cell phone signals. What I'd like to find out is if it's possible to similarly block a magnetic field, something generated by an electric motor for example. Any feedback would...
  24. P

    Building insight on a particular topic

    Im in high school now taking AP calc AB, AP phys C mechanics, and AP chem, and the typical english/social studies classes. I am doing this cause i like math and science. My dream schedule would have been AP calc BC, AP phys C and B, AP chem, AP bio, and probably AP stats or envi sci. This is...
  25. G

    Transistors: Gaining Insight into the Physics Behind the Magic

    Hi, I'm currently a graduate level physics student taking a course in analog electronics, and I'm really stuck on the idea of transistors. I am reading "the art of electronics", and it's explanation of transistors is horrible, and aside from the fact that i know they "magically" cause a gain in...
  26. O

    What Are the Risks and Rewards of Pursuing Medical School in Canada?

    I'm scared... please give me some insight! Hello, im a grade 12 high school student. I am about to take my AS level exams in math phys chem and bio and go to college. I am thinking of medicine. and i applied and got accepted at Dalhousie University at Canada. but there's somethin about the...
  27. G01

    I solved a problem but I need some insight into why it was solved this way.

    Hi. I just solved a homework problem. I eventually got the right answer and am only confused about why it was solved that way. This is the reason I posted it here instead of in the homework help section. All I need is a little insight into why the solution is the way it is. OK here we go...
  28. N

    Proving 0.99999... = 1: A Wikipedia Insight

    0.99999... = 1? I found the following proof on Wikipedia. It looks fine, but I can hardly imagine it to be right... Another kind of proof adapts to any repeating decimal. When a fraction in decimal notation is multiplied by 10, the digits do not change but the decimal separator moves one...
  29. F

    Insight needed into electromagnetism problem

    The problem (From Electromagnetism by Pollack and Stump, exercise 11.34) A stationary charge of charge e and mass m encounters a electromagnetic wave with vector potential \vec{A}=\vec{j}f(x-ct) where \vec{j} is the unit vector in the y-direction. The scalar potential is zero...
  30. daniel_i_l

    Gaining Insight into Energy Conservation: A New Perspective

    I was thinking about that question (what is energy) and I realized that I could easily understand what energy is and why it is conserved if I thought of it as the total force needed to get a mass to the position that it is in. For example: Kinetic energy - inorder to give a mass speed you...
  31. S

    Kinematics ~ need some insight

    hey, I was given a problem that states: Alyssa passes by Aaron at a constant velocity of 80km/h. Aaron wanting to catch up to her hesitates for 1 second and then starts accelerating at 10km/h/s. Where does he catch up with alyssa? OK what i have been thinking and trying out is that the...
  32. S

    Researching the Potential of Nano Batteries: Seeking Forum Insight

    Hope this is the correct forum for this... :rolleyes: I ran across this today. I've begun researching what companies are doing to replace our current dry cell batteries used in electronic devices. This is the first reference I've seen of a so called nano battery. Anyone with experience here...
  33. K

    Gaining Insight into Scalar Field Theory Questions

    Greetings, I stumbled across two question that I have no idea on how to answer them. 1) The interaction term in a scalar field theory is -\frac{\lambda}{4!} \phi^4 Why should lambda be positive? (they say look at the energy of the ground state...) 2) Write down the Feynman rules for...
  34. T

    Gain Insight into Sleep Disorders with this Interesting Article

    This was a very interesting article on sleep http://health.yahoo.com/health/centers/sleep_disorders/_101.html
  35. P

    Unpacking the Concept of Intelligence: Definitions, Principles, and Action

    Insight into "intelligence" we call one mind intelligent and another not. what is first of all "intelligence" ? is intelligence one of the quality in "thinking process" ? If so , what are the general rules/principles of "intelligent thinking".
  36. C

    News Former FBI Agent Gives Insight Into Terrorism

    See http://www.tedgunderson.com/
  37. Rockdog

    How High Does a Rocket Go in a Physics Experiment?

    In an experiment in physics class, a model solid-fueled rocket is fired vertically with an acceleration of 5 m/sec2 for 7 seconds. After that time, it's fuel is exhausted and it continues upwards as a free fall particle. (Take upwards to be the positive direction.) a) What is the maximum...
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