intuition

intuition
intuition, instinct
The two words overlap in meaning, and the OED indeed uses intuition in one of its definitions of instinct. Both refer to intellectual activity and both denote processes in which knowledge is apprehended without using any process of reasoning. An important difference, however, is that intuition is confined to humans whereas instinct is attributable to the animal world at large. In extended meanings, intuition means ‘immediate insight’ into a fact or feeling (as in the notorious phrase a woman's intuition), and instinct means ‘unconscious skill’ (an instinct for getting the best deal); these meanings too refuse to stay apart. Examples: (intuition)

• A student's intuition moves far more swiftly than can an instruction manual, and I believe that self-tuition is the finest form of education —R. Brindle Smith, 1986

• Whatever that small voice of intuition was telling her about her destiny, common-sense decreed that the Prince already had a full hand of potential suitors —A. Morton, 1993

• (instinct) Blythswood Square, once home of the infamous poisoner Madaleine Smith, and latterly, numerous other ladies with hearts of loose change and the instincts of a blushing tarantula —E. Chisnall, 1989

• Running out was totally unprofessional, but she had acted purely on instinct —J. Evans, 1993.


Modern English usage. 2014.

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Synonyms:
(by the intellect), , , , / (by sense), ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • INTUITION — Le terme d’intuition désigne la manière d’être d’une connaissance qui comprend directement son objet, par un contact sans médiats avec lui, et sans le secours des signes ou des procédés expérimentaux. À ces caractères d’immédiateté on relie en… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Intuition — • A psychological and philosophical term which designates the process of immediate apprehension or perception of an actual fact, being, or relation between two terms and its results Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Intuition      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Intuition — has many related meanings, usually connected to the meaning ability to sense or know immediately without reasoning , and is often regarded as a divine or prophetic power, including:* Intuition is the philosophical method of Henri Bergson. *… …   Wikipedia

  • Intuition — In tu*i tion, n. [L. intuitus, p. p. of intueri to look on; in in, on + tueri: cf. F. intuition. See {Tuition}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A looking after; a regard to. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] What, no reflection on a reward! He might have an intuition at… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Intuition — Sf Gespür, Erkennen eines Sachverhalts ohne bewußte Reflexion erw. fach. (18. Jh.) Entlehnung. Entlehnt aus ml. intuitio ( onis) unmittelbare Anschauung , älter Erscheinen des Bildes auf der Oberfläche eines Spiegels , zu l. intuērī genau… …   Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen sprache

  • Intuitĭon — (v. lat.), 1) Anschauung; 2) bes. innere I., das Vermögen, durch Zurückgezogenheit des Geistes in sich Kenntniß vom Übersinnlichen zu erlangen; davon Intuitiv, anschauend, anschaulich; intuitu, in Anschauung, in Erwägung …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Intuition — (lat., »Anschauung«), im Gegensatz zur Reflexion (s. d.) die Fähigkeit, verwickelte Beziehungen mit einem Schlage richtig zu erfassen, Übersinnliches (künstlerische und philosophische Ideen, das Wesentliche einer Sache) mit dem geistigen Auge… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Intuition — (lat.), Anschauung; anschauende, ohne Verstandesoperationen unmittelbar vorgestellte Erkenntnis; innere I., Erkenntnis des Übersinnlichen durch Zurückgezogenheit in sich selbst; intuitīv, anschauend, anschaulich. Intuĭtu, in Ansehung oder… …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Intuition — Intuition, lat. deutsch, Anschauung, dann besonders die innere Schauung des Uebersinnlichen u. Göttlichen; vgl. Ekstase, Mystik, Speculation; intuitiv, anschauend, schauend; intuitu, in Anschauung, in Anbetracht …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • intuition — index belief (state of mind), common sense, comprehension, discretion (quality of being discreet), discrimination (good judgment) …   Law dictionary

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