The understanding is that faculty that differentiates human beings from animals.
The understanding allows the understanding of reality from this mental faculty. From a philosophical point of view, this concept is also called intellection or apprehension of reality through which the essence of things is accessed.
The understanding shows the capacity for rational discernment that enhances deliberation in decision-making. This ability to discern shows the possibility that human beings have to differentiate what is correct from what is not. The understanding shows the value of good judgment, that is, of acting from the sense of prudence.
Theory of knowledge
Understanding is one of the essential aspects in the process of knowledge on the part of the subject. A faculty that shows the relationship between the mind and the object through the exercise of knowing.
The knowledge that is the basis of understanding is an immanent action whose origin and end is found in the subject itself. Understanding implies paying attention to everything in order to grasp the essential root.
In addition to the plane of knowledge, the capacity for understanding also has a great influence in the context of interpersonal communication since two people can reach a mutual understanding through the power of the word, that is, they can understand each other by listening. From a communication point of view, it is positive to use concrete arguments that support the value of a given message through the proper organization of main ideas and supporting ideas. It is about providing reasons that have a solid validity in the expression of a certain message. There is an attitude that hinders the capacity for mutual understanding: always wanting to be right.
The reflection on one's own understanding has been the object of philosophical reflection as shown by the epistemology that shows the ability of the philosopher to admire this human faculty that brings great freedom to existence. And it is that, the understanding allows to bring awareness to existence by having the ability to reflect on their own actions and their consequences. This reflection is also based on ethics.
