UNKNOWABLENESS Meaning and
Definition
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Unknowableness refers to the characteristic or quality of being unknown, incomprehensible or beyond human comprehension. It denotes the state of something being inaccessible to the understanding or knowledge of individuals.
In philosophical and metaphysical contexts, unknowableness often pertains to the existence and nature of ultimate realities, such as the nature of God, the nature of the universe, or the origin of existence. It suggests that these concepts are beyond the limits of human intellect or observable empirical evidence and cannot be fully comprehended or understood. Unknowableness is, therefore, often associated with concepts that are considered transcendent or metaphysical in nature.
This term also holds significance in epistemology, the branch of philosophy that studies the nature of knowledge. In this context, it refers to the recognition that there are limits to human knowledge and understanding. The vastness of the universe, the complexity of certain phenomena, or the limitations of human perception all contribute to the unknowableness of certain aspects of reality.
Unknowableness should not be confused with mere ignorance. While ignorance signifies a lack of knowledge or awareness about something due to insufficient information, unknowableness implies that there are inherent limitations to what can be known or understood by human beings. It acknowledges the boundaries of human cognitive abilities and the existence of mysteries that surpass human capacity for full comprehension.
Etymology of UNKNOWABLENESS
The word "unknowableness" is a derivative of the word "know", which comes from the Old English word "cnawan". The prefix "un-" is added to indicate negation or absence. The suffix "-ness" is added to turn the adjective "unknowable" into a noun, indicating the state or quality of being unknowable. Therefore, "unknowableness" is formed by combining these elements to express the concept of being incapable of being known or understood.
