I shall suggest, on the contrary, that all communication relies, to a noticeable extent on evoking knowledge that we cannot tell, and that all our knowledge of mental processes, like feelings or conscious intellectual activities, is based on a knowledge which we cannot tell.

The quote "I shall suggest, on the contrary, that all communication relies, to a noticeable extent on evoking knowledge that we cannot tell, and that all our knowledge of mental processes, like feelings or conscious intellectual activities, is based on a knowledge which we cannot tell" by Michael Polanyi delves into the idea that much of communication and knowledge is rooted in implicit or tacit understanding—knowledge that is difficult or impossible to express in words. Polanyi suggests that there are many things we know or feel, such as emotions or intellectual insights, that are not easily conveyed through language. Despite this, effective communication still relies on evoking or tapping into that unspoken knowledge that people carry, even if they cannot explicitly articulate it.

Polanyi’s quote challenges the assumption that all knowledge and communication can be fully expressed or articulated. He argues that human experience and understanding often include non-verbal, implicit knowledge that forms the foundation for how we interact with others. This idea aligns with his broader work in philosophy, particularly his concept of tacit knowledge, which refers to knowledge that people possess but cannot easily explain or share. In essence, he is pointing out that communication is not always about clearly defined facts or statements but can also involve the sharing of unspoken or intuitive understanding.

The origin of this quote lies in Michael Polanyi, a philosopher and scientist known for his work on tacit knowledge and the philosophy of science. Polanyi believed that much of human understanding and scientific discovery could not be fully captured by language alone, emphasizing the importance of personal experience and intuition in the knowledge process. His concept of tacit knowledge has had a significant influence on how we understand learning, expertise, and creativity, especially in fields where experiential learning plays a crucial role.

In essence, Polanyi’s quote emphasizes the complexity of communication and knowledge, suggesting that much of what we know and share is not explicitly stated but is instead derived from deeper, unarticulated understanding. He challenges us to recognize that communication is often more than just the transmission of clear ideas—it also involves the implicit and intuitive ways we connect with and understand each other.