Why is it that philosophers define intuition as rational and superior to analytical thinking while psychologists tend not to? Anyone acquainted with the heuristics and biases literature has noted that intuition is conceived as a largely unconscious, biased, automatic and effortless cognitive process.[1] Those familiar with philosophy know that here intuition is considered supreme intelligence and according to Plato the apprehension of it, is rather to be thought of as a revelation which can only follow upon a long intellectual training.[2]Indeed this is an intriguing issue. It is so to speak a Copernican reversal in our entire history of epistemology. The theoretical rationale and objective of this inquiry is thus to painstakingly track the evolution of this elusive concept from its origins to modern day folklore and in this way address the question; what is intuition? That is, I limit my exploration to philosophy.

In each paragraph there are three main issues that I work at. The first issue is the definition of intuition. This will be elaborated at some length. The second and equally important issue is the distinction between analysis and intuition. As this is indeed an intricate matter I do not intend to contribute in the debate. Within the scope of this thesis there is little space for it. Rather I try in a hermeneutic spirit to present one authentic view, which apparently is properly justified. Finally, as science is characterized by a distinct methodology it is of relevance to see how these two orientations of mind are anchored in different methods.[3] Concerning the choice of authors I have diligently scrutinized the field of philosophy aiming at the authorities on the subject. There are others as well that could add a point or two. However, in considering the limitations of this thesis we are probably well off with Plato, Kant, Bergson, the Buddhist and the Theosophical doctrines.[4] As Jung is the only psychologist who has provided a proper theory of intuition, his contribution is included. He did discover very interesting aspects of both the personal and collective unconscious and because these repositories are claimed to be the main domains of interest for intuition his account is of relevance to this study. The table below summarizes on the main methods.

 

Method Rational Intuition Analytical Thinking
Plato Dialogue Dianoia
     Kant       Synthesis Analysis
Bergson Metaphysical Science Physical Science
 

 

 

Abstract

In this thesis we find a consistency in how philosophers have treated intuition. The intricate epistemology of European philosophy turns on the distinction between intuitive and analytical thinking. In the succeeding brief exposition we find, that without exception the intuitive state of mind is perceived as superior to the analytic, discursive, dualistic state of mind. Slightly different arguments are provided but essentially, they all agree in that intuition gives access to the intelligible world of pure reason. Thus, they all define it as rational and intellectual while analytical thought is seen as relative, incomplete and fragmented. Philosophers do so primarily because intuition is anchored in Ideas, Forms and Archetypes, which are perceived as a priori laws governing and conditioning all existence. The coherency discovered, equip us with a rather strong bias when we in psychology find a different view. In psychology, the main tendency is to treat intuition as some sort of unconscious, automatic and biased processing devoid of proper rational qualities. This controversy might have implications for the rationality debate.

A brief synopsis may prepare the reader and facilitate an understanding of the somewhat difficult arguments to come. Plato is arguing that the primary weakness of the analytical or discursive intellect is that it is compelled to employ assumptions and because it cannot rise above these does not travel upwards to a first principle. It starts from unquestioned assumptions, i.e. postulates, axioms, definitions, and reasons from them deductively down to a conclusion. The premises may be true and the conclusions may follow but the whole structure hangs in the air until the assumptions themselves are shown to depend on an unconditioned principle. Rational intuition moves in the other direction, from an assumption up towards a principle, which is not hypothetical. In doing so a proportion is discovered, in which the visible world has been divided. It is corresponding to degrees of reality and truth, so that the likeness stands to the original in the same ratio as the sphere of appearances to the sphere of knowledge.

In his delineation of space and time as Forms of pure or rational intuition, Kant claims that intuition is characterized by being a necessary, infinite, innate, subjective, co-operative and a priori representation. Furthermore, it is a singular whole preceding any part and with immediate representations in it not under it. Intuition is contrasted with the main product of the discursive intellect, conception. According to Kant, concepts mediate and generalize. It is a symbolic representation of a class or genus, and refers to features and marks that several things have in common.

For Bergson the situation is similar. He contrasts intuition with the analytical talents of the discursive intellect. According to him, they are not different cognitive systems but two sides of one thinking activity. An activity powered by the spirit. The thinking activity goes in one direction when it applies a discursive, conceptual, analytic quantitative and external perspective and in the opposite direction when it sympathizes with the qualitative and enduring psychological reality. Bergson thus copies Plato who defines rational intuition as the eye of the psyche or soul. The fixed concepts of the discursive intellect may be extracted by our thought from mobile reality but there are no means of reconstructing the mobility of the real with fixed concepts. The discursive intellect is therefore bound to misunderstand the fact of motion and change. For Bergson then, intuition is primarily occupied with metaphysics or spiritual science, while the discursive intellect is primarily employed in the study and analysis of matter and physical science.

This latter view is elaborated in Buddhist doctrine. Here it is maintained that when the mind is oriented solely towards the empirical, towards the data provided by the six senses, and applies the discursive intellect, it comprehends conceptual, differentiated, analytic, explicit knowledge and evidence.[5] When directed towards the eight and ninth class of consciousness, achieved by a turning away from the outside world of objects, to the inner world of enduring oneness and completeness, the energy that sustains their organic unity is intuitively discovered. The claim is that this results in liberation and autonomy. Where Buddhism is clearer, than the other exponents, is in its emphasis on intuition as a stabilizing and central point of balance. It is upholding the coherence of its contents by being the center of reference. The intuitive state of mind is thus a mixture and a meeting point between the first six senses or classes of consciousness on the one side, and class eight and nine on the other. The latter correspond in one way to Jung’s notions of the personal and collective unconsciousness. It is their common ground, with no body of its own and it is in this sense it is an immediate and singular synthesis, as Kant argues.

In building his theory on intuition around archetypes which means original pattern, idea, or model, Jung is copying the Forms of Kant, as well as the main tenet of Platonic doctrine. “Since the unconscious is not just something, that lies there like a psychic caput mortuum, but coexists with us and is constantly undergoing transformations which are inwardly connected with the general run of events, introverted intuition, through its perception of these processes, can supply certain data which may be of the utmost importance for understanding what is going on in the world. It can even foresee new possibilities in more or less clear outline, as well as events, which later actually do happen. Its prophetic foresight is explained by its relation to the archetypes, which represent the laws governing the course of all things we can experience.”[6]

In Theosophy we find a further delineation of intuition. Here it is advocated that the ideas are anchored and originating in a great Plan. “When the intuition functions in any human being, he is enabled to take direct and correct action for he is in touch with the Plan, with pure and unadulterated fact and undistorted ideas—free from illusion and coming direct from the divine or universal Mind. The unfolding of this faculty will bring about a worldwide recognition of the Plan, and this is the greatest achievement of intuition in this present world cycle. When that Plan is sensed, there comes the realization of the unity of all beings, of the synthesis of world evolution and of the unity of the divine objective. All life and all forms are seen then in their true perspective; a right sense of values and of time then eventuates.”[7] Intuition is moreover an expression of the Spiritual triad, the divine trinity that is, will, love and intelligence. In this view we recognize the objective of Socratic dialogue, namely to secure a final confirmation and a synoptic view of all knowledge in connexion with the whole of reality, as well as the synthetic method of Kant.[8]

In this thesis, it is thus indicated that it is reasonably clear that the mind has a duality to it. It is also argued that it is intuition that facilitates a transcending of its more severe limitations.

 


[1] Gilovich, Griffin, Kahneman, 2002, p. 51. Stanovich & West, 2000, p. 658, Epstein, 1996, p. 390.

[2] Cornford, 1955, p. 206.

[3] Nachmias, 1996, p. 3.

[4] Spinoza, Descartes, Husserl, Croce and Whitehead would be other relevant contributors.

[5] In Buddhism, thoughts are recognized as objects of perception. Thus, they define this as a sixth sense.

[6] Jung, 1971, p. 401. My italics.

[7] Bailey, Discipleship in the New Age, Vol. 1, p. 25. My italics.

[8] Cornford, 1955, p. 245.