“In philosophy which proceeds from ordinary language, understanding from inside is methodologically fundamental” (Stanley Cavell, Must We Mean What We Say, 239).
To acknowledge is to express or display gratitude for or appreciation of (Oxford Dictionary). In what ways, do we say or show thanks? And how, and why do we express it? Are their criteria by which we appreciate?
Think of a child’s learning to say “Thank you, mom.” They are taught to say these words in certain circumstances; taught to respond; trained in what we say when; however, some are not taught, do not learn to say, to behave this way.
But how is gratitude learnt? Can’t one know when to say or express it, and in fact, really be ungrateful.
Can’t I be grateful, genuinely, but not express it.
Is expression, properly, in particular circumstances all that is required for gratitude? There is something more to it. We might say, attitude. It is a way of viewing others, life, the world.
To lack this attitude, this way of viewing, and the expression of thanks may be because we have not learnt or been taught it… The lack of expression though is to withhold acknowledgement of someone, or something. It may also have to do with its success or failure.
If to acknowledge is a form of appreciation, it is to understand not just from the outside. I mean that it is to close that distance, as though, there is a gap between subject and object.
I am inclined to say, acknowledgment as appreciation, is to understand from the inside.
“To put yourself in the shoes of another“; ”taste it!”; ”see it to believe”; ”I know what you mean”; “I see you”; ”been there done that; ”i get it” or “get you”; ”i feel it” or ”get it”, ”vibes” or ”viben”.
But what are the criteria of expressing or doing it rightly?-like, when I say, ”That’s espresso”. Then I mean that it is really good, taste great, or is real. But how do I decide, make that determination, or judge it.
And I may make that judgment, without being able to make the criteria explicit. But then they are implicit.
But I cannot make any judgment about that espresso, or cup of coffee, without or apart from drinking or tasting it. Unless the amount and look of the espresso’s crema counts for or against it! But that is not enough for determining whether the roust was too dark or too light, medium… whether it was burnt… etc.
But what does it mean to acknowledge or appreciate someone or their experience?
IF I have not been where they/them where, or gone through that, or suffered it, THEN I have to listen or learn their narrative or story or telling of it. But that won’t assure one’s understanding from inside.
To be sure, appreciating is not a matter of saying it. But to acknowledge is to show it. And, I must or have to mean it. Meaning it!
fragments of philosophy 