Why not go another step further and eliminate the word “intuition” altogether? In fact, I think that the word “intuition” is more harmful than helpful because it implies that the process is completely subjective. This isn’t to say that intuition is necessarily bad, just that using it as a criterion for truth can lead to dangerous consequences.


In a post in the Psychology Today blog, The Good Men Project, Dr. Hite argues that intuition is “a type of thinking that is not analytical but rather subconscious and, in the moment, is about seeing a problem without having it presented to you.” He notes that this is a fairly common way of thinking across a number of disciplines, and while it may be useful in many cases, it becomes problematic when it is used to justify decisions.

“Intuition is often considered an alternative to logic and reason,” Hite explains, “but the truth is that intuition and logic are not in opposition to one another at all, but rather work hand in hand. The way intuition works is through logic, and logical reasoning is a part of the brain.”

While I’m sure there are some people who use their gut feelings with complete abandon, many people are well aware that their intuitions are informed by some degree of analysis. When you think