Epiphany (feeling)

An epiphany (from the ancient Greek ἐπιφάνεια, epiphanea, "manifestation, striking appearance") is an experience of a sudden and striking realization. Generally the term is used to describe a scientific breakthrough or a religious or philosophical discovery, but it can apply in any situation in which an enlightening realization allows a problem or situation to be understood from a new and deeper perspective. Epiphanies are studied by psychologists^[1]^[2] and other scholars, particularly those attempting to study the process of innovation.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Epiphanies are relatively rare occurrences and generally follow a process of significant thought about a problem. Often they are triggered by a new and key piece of information, but importantly, a depth of prior knowledge is required to allow the leap of understanding.^[3]^[4]^[6]^[7] Famous epiphanies include Archimedes's discovery of a method to determine the volume of an irregular object ("Eureka!") and Isaac Newton's realization that a falling apple and the orbiting moon are both pulled by the same force.^[6]^[7]^[8]

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^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference Kawasaki2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference Berkun2010-13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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[Jarvis1996-1] Cite error: The named reference Jarvis1996 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[McDonald2008-2] Cite error: The named reference McDonald2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Berkun2010-4-3] Cite error: The named reference Berkun2010-4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Berkun2010-10-4] Cite error: The named reference Berkun2010-10 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[LeemingMadden2009-5] Cite error: The named reference LeemingMadden2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Kawasaki2008-6] Cite error: The named reference Kawasaki2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Berkun2010-13-7] Cite error: The named reference Berkun2010-13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Tigges1999-8] Cite error: The named reference Tigges1999 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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