We explain what intuitive knowledge is, its validity, importance, and other characteristics. In addition, its a relationship between rational knowledge and intuitive knowledge examples.
What is intuitive knowledge?
By intuitive knowledge or intuitive thinking, we usually refer to forms of immediate knowledge that do not come from rational and conscious processes, that is, that are obtained without prior analysis and reasoning but are the result of certain unconscious processes that we usually call intuition.
When we talk about intuitive knowledge, we usually mean that it is not from rational or conscious thought. The best example of this would be when a person has a “gut feeling” and acts on it later, proving to be right despite not understanding their own feelings.
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Intuitive thinking is generally fast, agile, and linked to creativity, so it is not usually known where it comes from, that is, it is dark and airtight. Therefore, it is not always considered a valid way of thinking, especially in formal settings, although when it comes to solving problems it is as valid as any other.
Intuition has been the field of study of psychology and the theory of knowledge, and although it is often linked with pseudosciences and occult explanations, its presence in the human brain is undeniable. It is simply due to unconscious processes, rather than supernatural perceptions. intuitive knowledge examples
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Characteristics of intuitive knowledge
Intuitive knowledge, as we said above, is part of informal, often inexplicable, ways of knowing that flow quickly and without prior analysis. We often realize its existence when we face novel situations. intuitive knowledge examples
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Intuitive knowledge is usually obtained from similar, or remotely similar, past situations, so that the individual manages to make a kind of creative deduction to solve the problem that arises.
Intuitive knowledge usually manifests itself in moments of risk, pressure, or immediacy, in which there is no time frame for reasoning or evaluation. It occurs in the form of immediate or creative spontaneous or logical actions.
Taking into account that intuitive knowledge is a bit different from other types of thought such as critical thinking, it is necessary to share some of its characteristics so that you understand the matter much better.
Intuitive knowledge allows us to understand things and information instinctively without the need for a rational process. intuitive knowledge examples
It stands out for the intervention of the unconscious in rational processes of our daily life, generated by various stimuli.
According to science, this type of thinking was the most used by primitive humans, thus promoting the processes of civilization.
This type of knowledge stands out for containing mental evocations that can be made up of images, words, emotions, or sensations.
The characteristic evocations of intuitive thinking are involuntary.
Great philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle spoke of intuitive knowledge and rescued its importance within the mental and intellectual development of human beings. intuitive knowledge examples
Something particular is that science does not clearly know how intuitive knowledge is born, but this does not mean that it denies its existence.
Some scientists postulate that this type of knowledge is acquired through experience, which leaves traces in our thinking and these awaken with stimuli that are associated with the information stored in our unconscious.
Some people associate this type of knowledge with magical thinking, claiming that intuition has a magical and spiritual connotation. In fact, there are various magical or divinatory practices such as the Tarot that are highly associated with an intuitive component. intuitive knowledge examples
Intuitive knowledge is directly related to our emotions since when it appears it produces a specific emotional effect on the person.
Although we all have intuition, it is necessary to develop it through experiences and information.
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Examples of intuitive knowledge
When you have encountered in some area, or when you have known an individual for a long time, you can notice with the subconscious thought any changes that they may present, immediately knowing the appearance of a future problem, and its possible solution. intuitive knowledge examples
Examples with acquaintances
You can tell when a person is cheerful, unhappy, nervous, wants to cry, upset, scared, and basically, any feeling or symptom that shows with physical, gestural, and verbal expressions. Simply observing them will instantly and subconsciously activate the feeling that the person may have a problem, that they have received bad or good news, among many other examples. On different occasions, intuitive knowledge can be deceived, since many people can fake some emotions with very good performance.
Examples of risk situations
There is the possibility that at the moment of being in a situation close to danger, or that it may cause or trigger events that end up being dangerous for the integrity of a person, the intuitive thought process is activated, which subconsciously will be sending signals so that the aforementioned actions are avoided, thus avoiding suffering any damage. intuitive knowledge examples
Example of experiences
Once the person has burnt out a certain amount of time making a product or exercising an activity, it can be known subconsciously when any event that leads to a bad procedure or that damages the final product may be happening, such as: when a lifeguard who is on duty in a pool, observe that a child under 8 years old goes in the direction of a pool more than 1.50 meters deep, which would be greater than this, could intuitively deduce that if the child entered In this pool, drowning could occur, due to deficiency swimming knowledge, or because it does not touch the floor with its feet.
It is important to note that intuitive knowledge is more common in rural communities because they do not have instructions or structures to carry out their daily tasks, as they do in urban areas, which has been formed within a set of regulations that force participants to think with reason.
The indigenous people who live in modern times, away from all the technologies, shortcuts, and advances proposed by humanity to this day, have developed this type of knowledge in a majestic way, since they have to use it daily, for the majority of their chores, such as fishing, hunting, preparing meals, making clothing, among others. intuitive knowledge examples
Not only modern indigenous people use it, but also, the oldest human beings evolved thanks to this type of intuitive action, improving every day when they saw the problems they had to deal with at that time.
Although this is a knowledge used since the start of the times of humanity, and to this day it continues to be used, other types of knowledge must also be taken into account, to have a better balance of the information that is perceived every day in all areas.
Some more examples of intuitive knowledge are:
- Empathy often operates on intuitive knowledge, when we can know the mood of a person not knowing it beforehand, or without any explicit manifestations of sentimentality (crying, screaming in pain, etc.).
- In risky situations, intuitive knowledge gives us an advantage of survival, allowing us an immediate reaction or a second of doubt before taking action. For example, when they offer us a drink and something tells us not to take it, it can be our intuition by deducing something strange in the environment and warning us of the danger.
- When we have performed a task for a long time, or are familiar with some type of activity that is given to us with ease, it is more common to observe intuitive knowledge appear: we are so accustomed to the task, that if we are faced with a different one, we can apply its patterns to the new and deduct things before they are explained to us.
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Importance of intuitive knowledge
Intuitive thinking and intuitive knowledge are forms of reasoning closely linked to the subconscious and our irrational aspects. That is precisely why they enjoy some speed and freedom in our minds.
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This means that they are primitive but functional modes of thinking and learning, part of our animal aspect, or simply of our less visible mental scheme. In any case, it is a form of knowledge that will always be available, even if we lack formal and rational education.
Intuitive knowledge and rational knowledge
Intuitive knowledge often opposes rational knowledge, to the extent that the latter is not fast and unconscious, but more leisurely and visible, conscious.
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In addition, rational knowledge is the result of an effort to accumulate information, deduce new data from the premises and reach logical, replicable, demonstrable conclusions. If intuitive knowledge is formed in secret, the rational instead need training, training, and practice, depending on what it is.
Other types of knowledge
Other types of knowledge are:
- Religious knowledge. It is linked to the mystical and religious experience, that is, to the knowledge that studies 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 requiring an approximation to the abstract, but from the things themselves.
- Philosophical knowledge. It follows from human thought, in the abstract, using various logical methods or formal reasoning, which does not always follow directly from reality, but from the imaginary representation of the real.
The following table presents a synthesis of the characteristics, relevance, and competencies that allow the development of four of the aforementioned types of knowledge :
| Type of knowledge | Characteristics | Value and relevance | Competences that allow developing |
| Intuitive insight |
|
This knowledge is sometimes given little importance when compared to science, however; It should be considered that through intuitive knowledge most of the problems, obstacles, or circumstances are solved |
|
| Religious knowledge |
|
Part of this type of knowledge allows us to explain the events of life to order, harmonize and act in the world from a sacred and trustworthy vision. | It allows questioning and distinguishing verifiable facts from those that are not, as well as evaluating certain practices that are based on beliefs. |
| Empirical knowledge |
|
This knowledge has the quality of being particular because it is known through experience and perception.
This knowledge allows an immediate connection with reality, even when only a part of everything that surrounds us is known. |
|
| Scientific knowledge |
|
|
|
