Question Response

Although recognition and realization superficially appear as vastly similar, almost interchangeable, terms, their definitions contain key divisions that manifest in nuanced but significant instances. The most basic difference appears in the chronology associated with the meanings of realization and recognition. A realization implies the genesis of a thought or connection, and recognition implies the identification of a previously known entity. In the classic Greek tragedy, Oedipus’ famous moment of anagnorisis highlights the chronological separation of recognition and realization; he recognizes the familiar tale of a baby with pierced ankles, which prefaces his original realization that he has killed his father and married his mother. Recognition must stem from the identification of something previously known, while realization needs no chronological precursor and constitutes the creation of original thought. Yet, this fundamental distinction frequently appears blurred, especially regarding the issue of self-conscious thoughts. Isn’t it possible to recognize something for the first time? But, that sounds a lot like a realization… Recognition can happen even if the previous familiarity exists without conscious knowledge and conscious realization can follow a long time after the first unconscious illumination. Strangely, the unconscious aspects of recognition and realization show up regularly in everyday life and popular culture. Vague feelings of previous familiarity strike quite frequently and often lead to “spontaneous” recognition, a situation most commonly known as déjà vu. A multitude of high profile movies utilize the notion of the delayed conscious realization; the main character finally realizes their best friend is their true love (e.g. Spiderman, Iron Man, Harry Potter). Although the interplay between recognition and realization can become convoluted, the underlying distinction is that recognition must stem from previous familiarity while realization is the creation of a new thought or connection.