How do we perceive the seemingly imperceptible?

Question

In the case of science, for example, is it possible to actively imagine the distance between the nucleus of an atom and one of its valence electrons or the distance between a galaxy’s star and one of its planets, or must we use a “metaphoric” model in order to cognize these ideas? Feel free to elaborate with examples that you feel are pertinent or relevant to the question.

“Atoms, according to Lucretius, are conceivable, but they are no more imaginable than they are perceptible. If we need images to think of them, we must use imagery in a metaphorical way, picturing the atom as the smallest particle imaginable—only more so! To the objection that there must be imageless thought if we can think of incorporeal beings, if which there can be no images or phantasms, Aquinas replies that we do so ‘by comparison with sensible bodies of which there are phantasms.’”

Please list ANY sources (fiction, nonfiction, film, music, etc.) you know that discuss Memory and Imagination. Thank you!

Answer 1

Everything is relivent to ONE.. and all is fractional to it.

My Father told me years ago to understand the universes, try imagining that you have a ball in your hands. Now, imagine the ball getting smaller and smaller until you can barely see it. Then, imagine making yourself smaller and smaller until the ball is the size it was before. Continue this on an endless scale and imagine what things would look like during the process. Once you can see it on the molecular level, reverse the process until you can see things on the universal scale.

What would you see?

You would find that things on the universal scale are the same as on the microscopic. And, their relationship is relative to each other.

Answer 2

If we have a visible model of something say a model of DNA then we can tangibly see what cannot be seen by the naked eye.
We are cognizant of the conscious mind but not truly aware of the world around us at all times...how can we be? it would take so much energy we would not be able to go about our day successfully and get anything done. It is only the stimuli that we can take in and digest in our brains that we are able to handle. I for one am a sponge for knowledge and even more so for creative outlets. All this stuff is just ramblings in my wee lil brain.
BTW one thing I have noticed...the older I get it seems the less I know but the more at peace I become with the notion I will never know everything...
PS I had to add that I love the way you think and your words are very poetic.

Answer 3

Yeahh, and what about Quarks?? how can you imagine them