It is the very basis of our reasoning it can occur naturally as well as forcefully when it is needed. The situational aware ness before we make decisions using intuition can be proven within the human race as a law sometime in the near future and not just a theory. It is tough to defend a theory as there are many aspects to consider. It can be the root of all of philosophy and can be linked to all theories. It is unique to humans as we can reason but animals cannot. Intuition is reasoning whether the decision made is good or bad.
Intuitionism within philosophy can be referenced or linked to several theories within the realm of the human philosophical nature. People around the world are more actively using this theory today than any other theory stated within the philosophical papers. The Simple and concise definition of intuition(ism) can be stated as, “common-sense,” (Hill, C, Chapter 7, P.1).Many people use the definition of Intuition as that feeling you get when something is about to happen. Some have this stronger, “Feeling,” than others. Intuitionism has also been related to metaphysics as well as use in mathematical calculations in order to solve a problem.
Human fallibility mixes well with intuitionism as some use intuition in order to appear that they are not bad people. It is logical for people not to want to appear bad but end up being bad based on the consequences that occur. Even though many people use intuitionism to appear good many are good. Many people are repulsed by bad decisions or repulsed if the make a god decision that turns out to have bad consequences.
Cognitive dissonance states there is a state of tension whenever a person holds two cognitions that are psychologically inconsistent that can also cause an unpleasant feeling. (Hill, C., Chapter 1). Intuitionism gives two choices such as within the case of Rescue I in which you either have to save one person and let five die or save five and let one die(Hill, C, Chapter 7, P.5). The relationship between these two theories and other theories within philosophy is a new theory all together in which Intuitionism can be the basis for most philosophical theories in which Intuitionism is stated to be true. Common-sense stated within cognitive dissonance (Hill, C., Chapter 1) for example, “The Pyramid of Choice,” in relation to cheating. The two young men who are pondering cheating know it is bad and it is common sense that it would have dire consequences if they are caught. One decides to cheat the other decides not to cheat.
The two Case studies the Rescue I (Hill, C, Chapter 7, P.5) and the Cheating students (Hill, C., Chapter 1, P.22) May both be different situations but both have instances of intuition(ism) even though one is life and death the other gives a situation which can make a student go face to face with ostracism and honesty. With that stated the first had two choices in which either five will die or one will die both decisions according to the article (Hill, C, Chapter 7, P.5) are both bad ones but common sense states to pick the one in which the consequences are less which says you should let the one die and save the five.
With the case of the cheating students where one cheats and the other doesn’t in which there are also two decisions to be made, which are Cheat and get caught possibly or don’t cheat and receive the lower grade(Hill, C., Chapter 1, P.22). The common sense decision or what intuition tells us that the students will be caught if they cheat. One makes the right decision and does not cheat but the other does. Two items within cognitive dissonance hangs over their head before they make the decision. They both Cheat and stay friends and go to college or if one cheats and the other don’t it will sever their friendship because one will go to college and the other won’t, effectively linking Cognitive Dissonance with intuition(ism).
“Bentham Believed that the morally right action for the individual was that action which produced, on balance, the greatest pleasure overall.” (Hill, C., Chapter 3, P.4) The question is in reference to the above with the cheating student. Was it more pleasurable for the student to cheat or for the student to get a bad grade? “The basic Idea is that some things are just plain wrong even if they produce the maximally good result, and that consequentialism doesn’t recognize this important fact.” (Hill, C., Chapter 7, P.1) With Intuitionism you have two choices the “better” one and the less “better” one with could be bad or produce less pleasure than the other.
In this case one student got pleasure from cheating and receiving the good grade, the other got pleasure in being honest and receiving the lower grade. Both students though went through a period of cognitive dissonance as well as intuition that satisfied their choices.
Which would then lead to the “evaluation of arguments.”( (Hill, C., Chapter 1, P.5)
A. (argument)
P1 There is two students.
P2 All students take tests.
So both students will take tests.
B. (argument)
P1 Student A. Will not cheat and will receive a failing grade.
P2 Student B. will cheat and will get a good grade.
So one student will pass and one will not.
Or
C. (argument)
P1 Student A. will get a low grade but will pass.
P2 Student B. will get caught and fail.
So one student will pass and one will not.
In the metaphysical the both situations would exist and happen but only can truly be determined in the real world. The advent of Moral Nihilism states that unless we have all the facts of the situation we couldn’t possibly know if they will cheat or not cheat and so with that said, therefore Cheating doesn’t exist within Moral Nihilism. This is where we would have to use intuition(ism) to determine the consequences of the decision to cheat. Which one that they do cannot be determined from the information given but we can speculate which one they will by factors of Cognitive dissonance and intuition, given each students current situation.
“…right Action is defined in terms of value, rather than being defined in terms of right action.” (Hill, C., Chapter 8[B], P.2) “…there are principles that can be used to¬ guide and evaluate action, and that those principles are accessible to us by reference to our intuitions about particular cases and dilemmas.” (Hill, C, Chapter 7, P.1) Virtue ethics ties into Intuition(ism) nicely, even though everyone’s evaluation of what’s right and wring is different depending on the factors of culture, which brought them up as well as the lifeforbidden they live.
The Ethical Values may differ such as competition. One student could have been taught to never give up and to work hard for what they get, on the other hand another student may have been taught to be competitive and to pass no matter the cost. In which that consequentialists are rejected by deontologist because the deontologist focuses on the actions. The consequentialists however are the ones that can be tied to Intuitionism in which it is the consequentialist are focusing on the consequences instead of the actual action.
In turn has a root in virtual ethics. The Intuition is not partitioned from virtual ethics but it is also not partitioned from deontology either. Intuitionism can go either way. Either the situation as well as the consequences can use intuition or intuition and cognitive dissonance. Most people from my life experiences including myself focus on the consequences rather than the actual action that leads to the consequences.
For, example the politician, the politician is elected to be the voice of the people. The power the people give to this elective official may have adverse consequences for the people. The people elected this official with the hopes that their issues will be resolved. Like all politicians they are a flawed human and are the very opposite of the perfect human. The self-interest takes place such as in psychological egoism. This politician has choices and he has to weigh consequences and actions that cause those consequences. The politician the flawed human, he can look at the issues, he can analyze the issues and he can decide on the opinion of his issues.
An example of a new program to help needy homeless women (with children) who are homeless, due to their husbands did physical abuse to them. Program two a program that gives benefits to a factory making a specific part for a certain expensive part. The part they make happens to have something to do with this politician’s car. He himself has trouble affording this specific part if it breaks.
The politician has two choices, Help the battered women and try to make the world a better place or support this parts program in order to possibly get a discount or even this part free because he may need it in the future. The car part manufacturer knowing he owns the car the part goes to effectively making them a sponsor which may support him on other issues in the future. The one program doesn’t benefit him and the other does. Logic says that the battered women program is the way to go for this politician because it is in the greater interest for the people as not many people own this expensive car that he owns.
Intuition(ism) gives us the two choices; the women or the car. Cognitive dissonance says that he should pick the women for the greater good. Self-interest says he should pick the parts program to support which in this case could give the greatest pleasure. Value ethics with reference to Nicomachean ethics says that he should help the women.
What does the politician do? We cannot possibly know the mind of as specific politician unless we actually ask one. The moral thing the good thing would to pick the battered women. This case I thought of at the spur of the moment was an example on how we may use intuition. The situation then the consequences; the politician would critically think on these issues and he would add another factor of Cognitive dissonance.
What would the public of his district think of him; will they ostracize him and not reelect him at the next election because of a free car part or will they love him as he reduces the homeless population, and increase the value as well as possibly lessen petty crime.
The case with the politician is a thought experiment in which there can be no possible answer unless you are a politician but we can speculate on what with happen based on past politicians. We can also speculate on the consequences based on past laws and or programs.
Within utilitarianism the best action is defined as the good one. In this case the supporting of a program or bill that helps battered women is the utilitarianism way. The simple explanation of right and wrong is not simple but more complex and differs from person to person. The views of utility is that the decision made has to maximize the most good but that does not mean people will have intuition of what the most good is.
Metaphysics such as the logicism (Hill, C., Chapter 8, P.2) of mathematics can also be linked to Intuition(ism) or common-sense of the way things work by way of the logical order in which numbers work. Such by adding the numbers “1” + “1”, you have “1” then you add “1” and now you have “2” which then relates to the mathematical object in which you are “adding” together. It is then broken down by cognitive intuition that by have one object and adding another one of the same object you in fact get two of those objects. It is therefore stated intuitively that increments of one added with one in steady increments of one creates the number system we know today for example 1,2,3… .
With the above stated we can put up a dilemma such as with the politician and we can then add value to each of the consequences that may occur from making the decision. So intuitively we value we use utility in our decision based on our own personal moral ethics. The moral ethics can be seen as another variable when making decision.
After making that decision based on the consequences we can foresee the outcome of the decision based on consequences which can be defined as intuition. Then we can define what we have lost or gained good or bad while creating a cognitive algorithm in order to figure out the solutions to problems along with short term and long term consequences.
The natural occurrences based upon the decisions we make, whether foreseen or unforeseen can be manipulated by using intuition. “…if the fool or the pig are of different opinion, it is because they only know their own side of the question.” (Hill, C., Chapter 3, P.7) Their own side of the question can be an example where we know the politician is supposed to be doing things in the best interest in the people. Self-interest can get in the way of intuition causing consequences which are not in the best interest of the people.
Tolerance is another variable that contributes to decision making and critical thinking while naturally using intuition. The value of good or bad can be decided on based on tolerance of the specific person to the consequences. James Rachels theorized that there is no universal truth to morality (Hill, C., Chapter 1, P.5). I think if you add tolerance in regards to intuition there is a universal truth. That in which the person decides, could be based on how they would tolerate their decision which could be good or bad and even cause pleasure in certain cases which can be defined as subjectivism.
Common sense in relation to intuition(ism) can be only linked to it if the person(s) or groups are able to agree with what is right according to society and not personal opinion. People and groups can lack common sense in relation to intuition(ism). It is the main drawback and can even bring out the backfire effect. Humans can be fallible. For example what you believe is wrong or right could be the opposite you believe because of what some else believes. It can even make that person or groups believe more strongly about their beliefs (Hill, C., The backfire effect, P.2). This can be determined by the issue or issues.
It is natural to believe your own personal opinions that have been taught to you in the past and the finding out that your beliefs are not true can cause cognitive dissonance which could have been foreseen with intuition; metaphysically(nihilistic) no belief is the absolute truth logically. Intuition(ism) can help us find the absolute truth whether it is good or bad or contradicts your beliefs.
Human’s ability to reason has given us intuition a product of reasoning in which without reasoning and intuition humans would just be another type of animal with instinct. The very use of intuition with or without common sense can make every day decision with regard to conflict easier and less complex. The issues we face could be personal or could have ramifications from small to large groups of people.
The natural occurrence of intuitionism affects our everyday choices, decisions and even what we think about daily. It can be defined as common sense as well as our reasoning skills as human beings. It is the beginning of the natural algorithms known as logic, which can be used in all of our daily lives and created everything from electronics to computing and even wars. The logic behind intuition(ism) is suggests there is more to human reasoning that we have yet to discover I don’t believe it can be scientifically found but can be philosophically.
Intuitionism can even help determine the true purpose of the universe as well as what created it scientifically and philosophically as the universe is a very philosophical place. It is a very logical place in which intuition or the foreseeable consequences before solving a problem. Intuition can often be confused with psychic abilities which can give false definition of the way humans think. Intuition created the several papers that I have read throughout class, with regards to thought experiments as well as arguments and their possible outcomes.
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