Yes, gravity can be understood and described on an intuitive level without invoking Einstein's theory of general relativity. In fact, our everyday understanding of gravity is often based on Isaac Newton's laws of motion and his law of universal gravitation.
Newton's law of universal gravitation states that every particle with mass attracts every other particle with mass with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This law allows us to understand and predict the motion of objects under the influence of gravity.
On an intuitive level, we can observe that objects near the Earth's surface fall downward when released. This observation led Newton to propose that there is a gravitational force pulling objects toward the center of the Earth. This force is what gives objects weight and causes them to fall when released.
Newton's law of universal gravitation provides a mathematical framework for understanding the behavior of gravity. It allows us to predict the motion of celestial bodies, such as the planets in our solar system, and to explain phenomena such as the tides.
While Newton's laws of motion and his law of universal gravitation are highly accurate for most everyday situations, they do not provide a complete description of gravity, especially in extreme conditions or when considering the behavior of light. In such cases, Einstein's theory of general relativity, which describes gravity as the curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy, is required for a more accurate and comprehensive understanding.
So, while an intuitive understanding of gravity can be obtained through Newton's laws, the full complexity and behavior of gravity in all situations necessitate the use of Einstein's theory of general relativity.