We explain what intuitive knowledge is, what its characteristics and examples are. Also, its differences with rational knowledge.
What is intuitive knowledge?
Intuitive knowledge or intuitive thinking It is a form of immediate understanding of reality that is not the result of rational or voluntary processes. that is, it is obtained from unconscious perception processes that are usually called “intuition.”
intuitive thinking It is generally fast, agile, and is linked to the creativity so you usually don't know where it comes from. Therefore, it is not always considered a valid form of thinking, especially in formal and rational environments, such as the scientific one. However, when it comes to solving a problem, it can be as valid as any other.
Intuition has been a field of study in psychology and the theory of knowledge. Although it is often linked to pseudoscience and occult explanations, its presence in the human brain is undeniable.
Characteristics of intuitive knowledge
Intuitive knowledge is characterized by the following:
- It is informal knowledge. It usually operates in an inexplicable and imperceptible way, which does not follow a systematic method of reasoning.
- It obeys unconscious processes. It does not come from consciousness and voluntary reflection, but from inexplicable processes of the mind.
- It flows quickly and without prior analysis. It does not require careful reflection and, for this reason, it is particularly useful for dealing with situations that are novel, risky, pressured or that require immediate decisions.
- It consists of a kind of creative deduction. It is based on similar past situations to formulate a more or less logical, but immediate response.
Examples of intuitive knowledge
Some examples of intuitive knowledge are:
- Empathy . On many occasions, through empathy, you can know a person's emotional state without knowing them beforehand or having explicit manifestations of emotionality (such as crying, smiles, screams of pain, among others).
- Risk situations. In the face of danger, intuitive knowledge allows for immediate assessment that sometimes translates into a survival advantage. This often manifests as a feeling that “something is not right” that puts the individual on alert.
- Recurring tasks. In the face of repeated activities, it is common for intuitive knowledge to appear as an immediate recognition of habitual patterns. For example, a sports fan who is willing to learn a new sport will be able to grasp the logic of the game much more quickly than someone who lacks this type of intuition.
Importance of intuitive knowledge
Intuitive thinking and intuitive knowledge are forms of reasoning closely linked to the unconscious and irrational aspects of the individual. Precisely for that reason, They enjoy a certain speed and freedom versus conscious reasoning.
This means that They are primitive but functional modes of thinking and learning. and are part of the less visible human mental scheme. For this reason, they are often considered a kind of “sixth sense”, available to all people, regardless of their level of formal education and their rational abilities.
Differences between intuitive knowledge and rational knowledge
Unlike intuitive knowledge, rational knowledge is not fast or unconscious, but more slow and visible. Their differences can be summarized in the following table:
| intuitive knowledge | Rational knowledge |
|---|---|
| It occurs unconsciously and imperceptibly. | It is the result of conscious reflection and perception. |
| It's fast and superficial. | It is slower, more stopped and more thorough. |
| Use instinct. | Use formal logic. |
| It applies inexplicably to specific situations. | It tends towards the universal and the communicable. |
Other types of knowledge
In addition to intuitive and rational knowledge, there are other types of knowledge. They are:
- religious knowledge . It is linked to the mystical and religious experience, that is, to the study of the link between the human being and the divine.
- Scientific knowledge . It is derived from the application of the scientific method to the different hypotheses that arise from the observation of reality, in order to demonstrate through experiments what are the laws that govern the universe.
- Empirical knowledge . It is acquired through direct experience, repetition or participation, without an approach to the abstract, that is, from the things themselves.
- Philosophical knowledge . It arises from human thought itself and the use of various logical methods or formal reasoning, which allow the imaginary representation of what is real.
References
- Builles Roldán, I. (2022). Intuitive thinking, logic and decision making. EAFIT University.
- García Méndez, I. (2011). Think, intuit and you will be right. Learn to develop your intuition. Planet.
