The same way you can explain electromagnetism as a field throughout space-time, and then pretend that it's a force transmitted by photons. Feynman once famously claimed that no one really understood quantum mechanics, if that makes you feel any better; I'm not sure that's strictly true, but perhaps we've simply defined understanding down a bit :-)
Usual disclaimer about the pending detection of the graviton, etc, etc.
Your last sentence draws an arbitrary distinction between a "force" and a "phenomenon" which does not appear to be borne out in reality, and if I may say so, is at the heart of your trouble understanding why both 1) and 2) are correct.
Usual disclaimer about the pending detection of the graviton, etc, etc.
Your last sentence draws an arbitrary distinction between a "force" and a "phenomenon" which does not appear to be borne out in reality, and if I may say so, is at the heart of your trouble understanding why both 1) and 2) are correct.