Course Details

In Chapter 17 of Iain McGilchrist's "The Matter With Things: Our Brains, Our Delusions, and the Unmaking of the World," McGilchrist argues against the contemporary bias favoring science and reason over intuition and imagination. He emphasizes that intuition, far from being primitive and unreliable, plays a crucial role in our understanding of the world. McGilchrist cites examples from various fields, including psychotherapy, military, sports, and medicine, to illustrate how intuitive judgments often surpass analytical thinking in effectiveness, especially under high-pressure conditions. He also explores the physiological basis of intuition, linking it to the brain-gut axis, and highlights how different cultures have historically valued intuition. McGilchrist advocates for a balanced approach, where intuition complements rational thought, leading to more holistic decision-making.

  • Understand the role of intuition in human cognition and decision-making.

  • Recognize the historical and cultural significance of intuition.

  • Explore the physiological basis of intuition, particularly the brain-gut axis.

  • Identify scenarios where intuitive judgments outperform analytical thinking.

  • Analyze the interplay between intuition and rational thought in various contexts.

  • Appreciate the value of a balanced approach to cognition, integrating both intuitive and rational processes.

Course curriculum

    1. Intuition’s Claims on Truth

    2. Intuition’s claims on truth Quiz

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