“Man knows much more than he understands.”
- February 7, 1870 – May 28, 1937
- Austrian
- Psychotherapist, Medical Doctor, Founder of Individual Psychology
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Quote
“Man knows much more than he understands.”
Explanation
This quote points to the gap between knowledge and comprehension, a concept central to both psychology and education. Adler suggests that humans often possess facts, habits, or instincts without fully grasping their underlying causes or significance. In other words, people may know what they do or believe, but not necessarily why. This distinction reflects Adler’s focus on making the unconscious goals and motivations of individuals more visible and understood.
Adler developed this idea during a time when psychology was wrestling with the unseen forces behind behavior, such as Freud’s unconscious or Jung’s archetypes. Adler, however, grounded his work more firmly in the purposeful direction of behavior—that people act in ways that serve their individual goals, even if they don’t consciously realize those goals. The quote suggests that true psychological insight requires not just collecting knowledge, but reflecting on its meaning, especially in relation to one’s own life.
In contemporary terms, this idea remains highly relevant. For instance, a person might know they procrastinate or overeat, but not understand the emotional needs or beliefs that drive those actions. In therapy, coaching, or self-development, bridging the gap between what we know and what we understand is crucial for change. By seeking to understand not just information, but its personal and psychological context, we empower ourselves to live with greater clarity and purpose.
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