Kataleptic Phantasia

Kataleptic phantasia refers to mental impressions that are so clear, distinct, and compelling that they naturally lead to assent from a rational mind. These impressions bear their own evidence of truth and form the foundation of reliable knowledge. The Stoics believed that while many of our mental impressions are unclear or misleading, some are so vivid and accurate that they provide certain knowledge about reality. Learning to recognize these impressions helps us distinguish between what we truly know and what we merely assume.