Knowing is not the same as understanding

Knowing something by heart does not necessarily mean you understand it.

Perhaps it’s simply a matter of memorization; you’ve heard it enough times that it’s set in stone in your mind. You can repeat it without hesitation.

Being able to repeat something can make you feel like you understand it with certainty.

But do you truly understand it?

Can you explain its origins or how it has changed over the years? Can you argue it as an indisputable fact? Do you understand the counterarguments or why other people disagree? What’s their perspective?

“Knowledge” can be pretty complicated when you think about it long enough.