4 ms·

Ask HN: Is intuition something good or bad?

7 points by pedrodelfino 11y ago

kafkaesq 11y ago
The short answer is: it cuts both ways. "Intuition" (or more generally, associative thinking) can definitely lead us astray. So can (superficially) analytical thinking that might appear to be based on a chain of logically sound, "if A, then B" statements but yet ultimately miss the bigger context, or otherwise just end up coming to warped or irrational conclusions. So both strains of thought are needed. Especially if we're to stand any chance at all against the robots.
jdc 11y ago
"The point of rigour is not to destroy all intuition; instead, it should be used to destroy bad intuition while clarifying and elevating good intuition." - Terry Tao https://terrytao.wordpress.com/career-advice/there%E2%80%99s-more-to-mathematics-than-rigour-and-proofs https://terrytao.wordpress.com/career-advice/there%E2%80%99s...
- kalid 11y ago
  Perfectly put. To me, intuition means "actually understanding the concept". Sometimes we understand incorrect things, which should be removed, but we have to go beyond fragile, memorized facts.
  - matyuhinal 11y ago
    Да это так
MrTonyD 11y ago
I think using the word "intuition" does the concept an injustice. There are many different types of intuition - and they are unrelated. I've known some people who have an uncanny ability to predict outcomes or complexities. On the other hand, I've known people who blabber about feeling, refining their intuition, and incorporating intuition with their judgment - and they might as well just guess using a dartboard to make their decisions.
hibroken 11y ago
The book Thinking, Fast and Slow suggests the answer isn't this simple. It's often bad. Studies show human decision makers are often inferior to a prediction formula. But it's also good. It adds value as one more row in your rubric, after a disciplined collection of objective information and disciplined scoring of separate traits. According to the book: do not simply trust intuitive judgement - your own or than of others - but do not dismiss it either. Remember this rule: intuition cannot be trusted in the absence of stable regularities in the environment. Then there's the Einstein quote: The only real valuable thing is intuition.
RhiannonSky 11y ago
It's a useful instict that when properly used is very good. First if your gut is telling you something you must reason:is this something I've created all in my head? Or is this a reasonable feeling? Weigh both rationally and decide which is most likely the reason for your intuitions. If it proves to be irrational and caused by your own unreasonable thoughts and or feelings dismiss it. If it proves reasonable and not just irrational thinking then listen to your intuitions. Intuitions or gut feelings don't lie trust yourself!
ruraljuror 11y ago
To make the best use of intuition, you need to be aware of and avoid the Einstellung effect.
staunch 11y ago
It's great as a survival instinct.
matyuhinal 11y ago
Интуиция является хорошим проводником для идей!?

7 points by pedrodelfino 11y ago

The short answer is: it cuts both ways. "Intuition" (or more generally, associative thinking) can definitely lead us astray. So can (superficially) analytical thinking that might appear to be based on a chain of logically sound, "if A, then B" statements but yet ultimately miss the bigger context, or otherwise just end up coming to warped or irrational conclusions. So both strains of thought are needed. Especially if we're to stand any chance at all against the robots.

jdc 11y ago

"The point of rigour is not to destroy all intuition; instead, it should be used to destroy bad intuition while clarifying and elevating good intuition." - Terry Tao https://terrytao.wordpress.com/career-advice/there%E2%80%99s-more-to-mathematics-than-rigour-and-proofs https://terrytao.wordpress.com/career-advice/there%E2%80%99s...

kalid 11y ago
Perfectly put. To me, intuition means "actually understanding the concept". Sometimes we understand incorrect things, which should be removed, but we have to go beyond fragile, memorized facts.
- matyuhinal 11y ago
  Да это так

MrTonyD 11y ago

I think using the word "intuition" does the concept an injustice. There are many different types of intuition - and they are unrelated. I've known some people who have an uncanny ability to predict outcomes or complexities. On the other hand, I've known people who blabber about feeling, refining their intuition, and incorporating intuition with their judgment - and they might as well just guess using a dartboard to make their decisions.

hibroken 11y ago

The book Thinking, Fast and Slow suggests the answer isn't this simple. It's often bad. Studies show human decision makers are often inferior to a prediction formula. But it's also good. It adds value as one more row in your rubric, after a disciplined collection of objective information and disciplined scoring of separate traits. According to the book: do not simply trust intuitive judgement - your own or than of others - but do not dismiss it either. Remember this rule: intuition cannot be trusted in the absence of stable regularities in the environment. Then there's the Einstein quote: The only real valuable thing is intuition.

RhiannonSky 11y ago

It's a useful instict that when properly used is very good. First if your gut is telling you something you must reason:is this something I've created all in my head? Or is this a reasonable feeling? Weigh both rationally and decide which is most likely the reason for your intuitions. If it proves to be irrational and caused by your own unreasonable thoughts and or feelings dismiss it. If it proves reasonable and not just irrational thinking then listen to your intuitions. Intuitions or gut feelings don't lie trust yourself!

ruraljuror 11y ago

To make the best use of intuition, you need to be aware of and avoid the Einstellung effect.

staunch 11y ago

It's great as a survival instinct.

matyuhinal 11y ago

Интуиция является хорошим проводником для идей!?