Analytical / Intuitive Thinking

This article discusses the different strengths and weaknesses of analytical and intuitive thinking, which combined may be called holistic thinking. Because thinking is in its nature invisible and abstract, the article uses an analogy by way of representation: the anatomy of the cornea. At the very center of the cornea are clustered cone cells, which have the function of focusing on objects far or near. Surrounding the cone cells are the more numerous rod cells, which provide peripheral vision. If the cone cells deteriorate, when one attempts to focus upon an object, it disappears; a black spot in the center. But if you lose peripheral vision, even if you retain the ability to focus, it is like observing the world one speck at a time through the means of the focused beam of a flashlight. It is much easier to get around with only peripheral vision than with only focused vision.

This analogy can be convincing when seeking to persuade lawyers that analysis is not the whole universe of thinking. Lawyers are taught to specialize in analytical thinking. Analytical thinking is historically quite recent, whereas intuitive thinking has been mankind's chief possession since the dawn of time. As far as Western civilization is concerned, the classical Greeks "invented" analytical thinking; the Romans built really straight roads with it, the Dark Ages lost it, and the Enlightenment rediscovered it. We can partly attribute the triumphs and perils of our modern civilization to the relative imbalance in the importance afforded to analytical versus intuitive skills over the last four hundred years. The current dysfunction of the legal system is also in part a consequence of this imbalance. The broad mission of mediation may be to restore the balance, because we are now in a time when the perils threaten to outweigh the triumphs. Analytical thinking is powerful.

It is focused, sharp, linear, deals with one thing at a time, contains time, is deconstructive, contains no perspective, is subject to disorientation, is brain centered, and tends to the abstract. Analytical thinking is efficient in the following conditions - sufficient time, relatively static conditions, a clear differentiation between the observer and the observed. It is best suited for dealing with complexities, and works best where there are established criteria for the analysis (for example, rules of law). It is necessary when an explanation is required, seeks the best option, and can be taught in the classroom to beginners. Intuitive thinking has contrasting qualities: it is unfocused, nonlinear, contains "no time," sees many things at once, views the big picture, contains perspective, is heart centered, oriented in space and time, and tends to the real or concrete. Intuition comes into its own where analytical thinking is inadequate: under time pressure, where conditions are dynamic, where the differentiation between observer and observed is unclear. Intuition is limited where the task is complex and uncertain, where the observer lacks experience, or the observation is distorted by biases or fixed ideas. Its weakness is a tendency to produce a fixed attitude or mindset that ignores new data; that is why the analytical thinking of the Enlightenment was so revolutionary. Intuition is ineffective for predicting the stock market, or for discovering that the heart is a pump, or for dissecting a legal problem.

Rich is a highly respected American author. Her book is a must have for any fan of woman's literature. Diving Into The Wreck: Poems 1971-1972Poetry about one woman's awakening and self discovery as she grows more comfortable in her own skin. Most of the information I share on this page was taken from a college paper I wrote in American Literature my Senior year of college. While doing online research to gather more information to put together this page, I found an alarming amount of misinformation regarding this poem. I found one reputable site with a line by line summary of Rich's poem and around 75% of it was completely wrong. If you are researching this poem for a school paper, be careful what information you rely on. I only include links here that I have checked and believe to be providing good information. A brief, but important discussion of the context surrounding the poem.

SonnetsThe Agony of the Soul. Sign in or sign up and post using a HubPages Network account. 0 of 8192 characters usedPost CommentNo HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites. 19: No. As a certified English teacher myself, I can tell you that teachers want reputable sources rather than opinions posted online. I did research to learn the information I share here. I expect students to do the same. Ecking: Thank you so much for sharing. Poetry can be a powerful form of expression. I was so happy to come across this Lens! I quote Diving Into the Wreck quite often so it was lovely to see someone is bringing it up and talking about it! I first learned of the poem when I was into my eating disorder. These words were so powerful to me and explained my situation at the time. Let us not forget that Rich's ex husband committed sucide after she left him.