Final answer:
People who have known each other for a long time can develop an understanding of each other's thoughts and feelings without spoken words, which could be misconstrued as 'telepathy'. However, this connection is based on nonverbal communication, shared experiences, and emotional understanding rather than supernatural abilities. This kind of deep connection and the intuition that arises from it are aspects of human relationships and cognitive abilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
When people have known each other for a long time, they can indeed develop a deep understanding of each other's thoughts and feelings without the need for verbal communication. This phenomenon is often compared to telepathy, but in reality, it is based on nonverbal cues, shared experiences, and a deep emotional connection rather than any supernatural ability. This connection is enhanced by our capacity for cognitive decoupling, which allows us to imagine the minds of others and predict their actions even when they are not physically present.
In this scenario, the notion that we cannot experience or feel something without a word for it ties to the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, which suggests that the language we speak influences and limits our cognitive abilities and perception. However, understanding and predicting the actions of others are skills that are developed over time through interaction and do not depend solely on language. It is a testament to our complex human relationships and our ability to connect on a level beyond words.
The intuition that the two old people in the excerpt experienced is a result of a lifelong accumulation of knowledge about each other's behaviors, preferences, and mannerisms. It is clear and evident cognition based on their shared history and is not truly telepathy, but rather an intimate knowledge of each other's personalities.