Introspection

Introspection is the examination of one's own <a href="/facts/Consciousness/IAxmgt6c">conscious</a> <a href="/facts/Thought/loD3aFv9">thoughts</a> and <a href="/facts/Feeling/RJgeFMo1">feelings</a>. In <a href="/facts/Psychology/duoqW7Sz">psychology</a>, the process of introspection relies on the observation of one's <a href="/facts/Mental_representation/dlny9gvs">mental state</a>, while in a <a href="/facts/Spirituality/o2neYDkN">spiritual</a> context it may refer to the examination of one's <a href="/facts/Soul/DJl01SxP">soul</a>. Introspection is closely related to <a href="/facts/Human_self-reflection/hqjoJcRx">human self-reflection</a> and <a href="/facts/Self-discovery/6FI2tcT2">self-discovery</a> and is contrasted with <a href="/facts/Observation/NTodmzCo">external observation</a>.
It generally provides a privileged access to one's own mental states, not mediated by other sources of knowledge, so that individual experience of the mind is unique. Introspection can determine any number of mental states including: sensory, bodily, cognitive, emotional and so forth.
Introspection has been a subject of philosophical discussion for thousands of years. The <a href="/facts/Philosopher/Hyvzc54m">philosopher</a> <a href="/facts/Plato/jGtT1UD5">Plato</a> asked, "…why should we not calmly and patiently review our own thoughts, and thoroughly examine and see what these appearances in us really are?" While introspection is applicable to many facets of philosophical thought it is perhaps best known for its role in <a href="/facts/Epistemology/NsDwpcYH">epistemology</a>; in this context introspection is often compared with <a href="/facts/Perception/xLK0n2q4">perception</a>, <a href="/facts/Reason/tcBImN8J">reason</a>, <a href="/facts/Memory/zucwQIEX">memory</a>, and <a href="/facts/Testimony/dxgk0txp">testimony</a> as a source of <a href="/facts/Knowledge/joozoaup">knowledge</a>.

Introspection open-in-new

Introspection