What do YOU do when your intuition conflicts with your logic or reason? Do you prefer one over the other? Which one is dominant in your life?
We would like to give you a thought-provoking taste of the topic of Reason and Intuition.
The following quote was said by Henri Poincaré, a French mathematician. “We prove through science, but we discover through intuition.” We hope that this quote will not only help us understand the role of rationality and intuition in discovery, but also help us feel its role in our own lives.
We have all encountered the dynamics of reason and intuition in ourselves and around us in our own lives or on our journey of self-discovery. Steve Jobs, who played a key role in the creation of Apple, said this about this topic: “Intuition is a very powerful thing, I think it’s more powerful than reason.” Aristotle’s works contain the earliest known formal study of logic, of reason. He is considered the father and forerunner of modern European science. The influence of his work has contributed to the fact that Western society relies so heavily on rational thought and the scientific method to understand our world and ourselves.
Rational thinking is defined as INTELLIGENCE, the ability to understand the MEANING of THINGS, and the use of LOGIC to establish and verify FACTS.
Rational thinking uses analysis, data, and credible sources to interpret decisions. It is a logical process where a person trusts EXTERNAL sources and concrete facts. It includes aspects of our brain that consider organization, administration, as well as mathematics and science.
Critical thinking is a way of thinking in which we question, interpret, evaluate, and make decisions about what we read, hear, say, or write. The word “critical” comes from the Greek word “kritikos,” which means “able to judge or distinguish.” Good critical thinking means making sound judgments based on sound information.
While rational people rely on EXTERNAL sources and concrete facts, intuitive thinking is an INNER sense where people rely on their INNER reactions or gut feelings, body sensations, when it comes to making decisions. Intuition is often defined as the ability to gain knowledge without using reason.
We have mentioned that Aristotle's works contain the earliest known formal study of logic, of reason. How much did he, the father of modern European science, believe or trust his inner intuitions? It is certain that he participated in the "Eleusinian Mysteries", which were held in the highly respected cultic center of the ancient world, Eleusis, about 20 km from Athens. Aristotle wrote about this: "To experience is to learn".
The meaning of mystery, intuition, is: “the contemplation, living, or experiencing of things inexpressible in human words, the connection to the revelation of the invisible.”
The cerebrum is divided into two parts: the right and left hemispheres. They are connected by a bundle of fibers called the corpus callosum, which transmits messages from one side to the other. Each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body. Generally, the LEFT hemisphere controls speech, comprehension, arithmetic, and writing. The RIGHT hemisphere controls creativity, spatial abilities, and artistic and musical skills. Because of its connection to rational subjects, the left hemisphere and right side are associated with the masculine, while the right hemisphere and left side are associated with the feminine.
During our training, we teach you how to utilize the advantages of both thought systems and both cerebral hemispheres so that our thinking and perception can function at the highest level.
One of the most valuable skills in rational thinking is critical thinking - understanding the deeper connections and reasons behind things and making decisions based on that. This includes knowing ourselves, as cognitive biases can influence us due to our personal traumas. These same biases can also affect our confidence in our intuitive feelings.
One of the weaknesses of our rational judgment and intuitive clarity can be our desire for conformity and acceptance. The “Asch experiment” used since the 1950s is exactly about this. 9 actors and a volunteer sat in a room and had to name visual information presented on a board. Let's say an apple. The actors all called the apple a banana. Banana, banana banana... The experiment was about the volunteers' natural reaction. Would they name the apple correctly, despite their compulsion to conform?
Almost a third of the volunteers IMMEDIATELY called the apple a banana. About a third insisted on the apple being right being connected to their rational judgment and intuitive clarity. After 12 repetitions, 74% of the participants gave at least one incorrect answer.
Regarding the study results, Asch, who developed the experiment, stated: "It is worrying that intelligent, well-intentioned young people are willing to call a Day, a Night.”
That is why we cannot ignore the topic of reason and intuition and that is why it is an important part of our school’s thematic.