[Greek] αἴσθησις (aisthēsis), [Latin] sensus: aesthetic, perception, discernment, cognition, vocation, sense, capacity to understand; Php.1:9
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means perception, discernment, and intellectual understanding. Perception includes sense perception, sensation, organs of sensation, means of observing, feelings, impressions, and scent. Understanding involves mental and other senses (seeing and hearing). Discernment takes on a somewhat more limited role in this time. Seeking wisdom, education and knowledge become a highly held ideal.
Epictetus’ Discourses II 18.2 states, “When you are angry, know that you have not merely done ill, but you have strengthened the habit.” Euripides’ Electra 290 states, “For perception of suffering, even another’s, gnaws at mortals. Speak, so that when I know, I may tell your story, unpleasant, but necessary to him. Pity is present in wise mean.” Plato’s Phaedo 111b states, “In the realm of the gods, people there have no diseases and live much longer than we, and in sight and hearing and wisdom and all such things are as much superior to us as air is purer than water or the ether than air.”
Old Testament: This term means knowledge, perception, skill, discernment, understanding, and knowing God. However, the theme of knowledge predominately occurs. Scriptural examples point to reception into a state of knowledge, judgment, conscious affirmation, understanding, wisdom, and moral discrimination. Judgment can take on a moral, religious, or general sense. In contrast, the New Testament provides a stronger focus on discernment.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; wisdom and instruction fools despise (Prov.1:7). But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat (Gen.2:17). I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge (Exo.31:3). Teach me good discernment and knowledge (Psa.119:66). The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, the wicked does not understand such concern (Prov.39:7). Yet they seek Me day by day and delight to know My ways (Isa.58:2). Is not that what it means to know Me? (Jer.22:16).
New Testament: This term, occurring only once, essentially means to have the capacity to understand. Paul’s prayer is for the Philippians to increase their love, knowledge, and perception. Paul seeks for the Philippians to discern what is in accordance with God’s will. This matter pertains to moral and ethical judgment. Discernment takes on a more significant role for not only making choices, but also for considering and making vocations. Prayer is essential for understanding one’s vocation (to do God’s will).
Scripture:
“And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception.” Php. 1:9)
Prayer become the means to increase one’s love, knowledge, perception, and discernment.
Conclusion:
Aesthetic, anesthetic, anesthesia, sense
It seems that this term is right in line with the philosophers in this time period. However, the quotes often either state the obvious or are much ado about nothing. However, Plato makes an interesting observation about the realm of the gods. People, who live there, experience heightened senses. This begs the question of whether Plato had some sense or insight about heaven in the realm of God. It is important to note that man did not have strong relationships with the gods. Rather, these relationships were often fleeting and fearful. On the other hand, the saints (who are close to God in heaven) know about us and intercede for us.
God plays a more instrumental role in man’s relationships. Understanding, knowledge, perception, and discernment are intertwined. With this, man seeks wisdom and knowledge in relationship with God.
Paul links prayer, love, perception, and discernment together in finding a right relationship with God. It is through prayer and discernment that one can find a vocation. This also leads to better moral, religious, and normal choices. A vocation is essentially what God is calling you to be (married, single, religious, consecrated, etc). For some people, this becomes easy to figure out. And for others (like me), this may take years to figure out.
I have lived all my life as a single person. Yet I never understood why. (“Why am I still single, God?”). It was only just recently that I finally understood why this was God’s perfect plan for me. Warning: shameless book plug! Proceed with caution in understanding how I discovered and accepted my lay single vocation (in my conversion story). https://leoninepublishers.com/bookstore/single-with-god.html
An aesthetic is a set of principles or guidelines of an artist or artistic creation. (Perhaps you may see this each time when a fashion designer, painter, or any other artist says, “My aesthetic is…”)
An anesthetic (anesthesia) is something causes insensitivity to pain. The Greek preposition ana- means without.
I sense it is time to end this post.