In principle, we believe things to be true because our intuition tells us so and/or because science tells us so.
Intuitive knowledge often comes quickly and is based on our direct and personal relationship with the thing that we are judging. It is a gut feeling.
Scientific knowledge comes more slowly because, by definition, it has to be verifiable. Scientific methodology requires us to observe something repeatedly and see the same thing each time, or to do an experiment repeatedly and achieve the same results.
Intuition is the far-easier path and we often take it just for that reason. Science is harder but, when available, it is a better basis for decisions. When science is at odds with intuition, it can be gut-wrenching.
Practical Tip: If good science about the decision before you is available, use it. Even when the science points to inconvenient truths, at odds with intuition, or seemingly impossible to accept, these are not excuses for denying or altering the truth.
Good group decisions are based on the best knowledge available to the group. Where there is no science-based knowledge, use intuition. Where good science exists, accept it and act on it.
– Craig Freshley
Click here for one-page PDF of this Tip, a great way to print or share.
I can not thank you adequately for the posts on your web site. I know you’d put a lot of time and effort into them and hope you know how much I appreciate it. I hope I’ll do exactly the same for someone else at some point.
I often agree with your tips. I don’t fully disagree here, except with the use of “science” as a noun. Science is a process to discover, organize, and test information. It is an ever-changing set of information and has subject to errors, misinterpretations, and bias. The use of scientific conclusions itself requires a discernment of questions of relevance, legitimacy, credibility. In dealing with issues that have a scientifically derived information still need the buy-in of the group. Yes we trust intuition for than “science” because science is presented as “truth”. which it has often been proved not to be. Information that has been derived though scientific processes should be presented in a way that aligns with intuition. Intuition is a product of what we have observed (including read, heard, etc.) and what we think (analytical discernment, and what we feel (trust, doubt, fear, etc.).
I think true intuition is more accurate than science alone. True intuition comes from the divine, your higher self, which is the absolute truth. Science though valuable, can involve human error, unless true intuition is guiding the scientific methods. The key is knowing or discerning the difference between the true intuiton or “gut feeling” and a thought based on fear or other negative emotions.
Craig – Hmmm- Interesting Tip
Is gut feeling a reaction?
Is being intuitive a thought from a still mind, not coming form gut?
Science in observation will/is interpretational as a perception – (Laws of physics prove this)
When minds are joined, not from judgement, what are/is the potential(s)? Can we be willing to explore co-creating together, other than what has been perceived in the past?
As long as judgement remains the criterion to make decisions we will continue to make mistakes.
Hi Craig ~ A friend recently directed me to a Stephen Colbert piece delivered at the White House Press Correspondents Dinner. Stephen talks about gut feelings and shares these common traits with President Bush.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-869183917758574879 24 minutes