Definition
The ability to examine an idea, experience or decision with clarity, caution, method and context.
Discernment is the ability to discern with finesse what is true, probable, useful, just or misleading. It combines attention to facts, experience, reasoning, intuition and ethical examination. In a spiritual field, it protects against credulity, excessive promises and unquestioned authority.
To be retained
- Check facts and sources
- Observing your own biases
- Assessing the consequences of a decision
- Staying able to change your mind
Origin of the term and context
The word comes from the Latin discerner, "separate, distinguish." Spiritual traditions also speak of just discrimination, of examining minds or of practical wisdom.
Why does it matter?
Discernment protects against mistakes, manipulations and excessive promises. It allows to respect a spiritual experience while questioning its interpretation.
- Improving the quality of decisions
- Reduce the influence of certain manipulations
- Support autonomy
- Time-consuming when issues are important
How can I practice it?
- Ask what evidence supports an assertion
- Search for conflicts of interest
- Compare multiple sources
- Observing ethical and sustainable effects
Misconceptions and points of caution
- Critical spirit does not mean cynicism.
- An old source is not automatically true.
- A sincere experience can be misinterpreted.
Perspectives from different traditions
- Christianity: discernment of minds.
- Buddhism: Investigation and wisdom.
- Philosophy: rational examination and prudence.
To go further
- Small manipulation treatise for the use of honest people — Joule and Beauvois
- System 1 / System 2 — Daniel Kahneman