Intuition and the belief in god

[Unveiled Artist]

This is an interesting collection of studies that observes how people who think intuitive are more likely to believe in a higher power than a person who is a reflective thinker. It is a simple and good read. Its also best discussed once read rather than my making a brief summary.

I also know non believers are more likely to discuss this. It would be nice to have believers opinions as well.

http://io9.com/5842294/why-intuition-makes-people-more-likely-to-believe-in-god

 

[Rick O'Shez]

"Those who get the right answer reveal a more reflective thinking style, while those who get it wrong are more likely to be intuitive thinkers. Those who gave the intuitive (and incorrect) answers to all three questions were 1.5 times more likely to say they were certain of God's existence than those who got all three questions correct."

So according to this intuitive people are those who go with their first guess and are more often wrong. And those are also the people who are more likely to believe in God.
Can you see a pattern developing here?

 

[George-ananda]

I read the article. In their bat/ball question I am the more 'reflective' type; the type less likely to believe in God than the 'intuitive' type.

That makes sense to me because I am not comfortable referring to my spiritual beliefs as 'faith' as the intuitive type of person might. To me, I would call my spiritual beliefs the most reasonable analysis of all the evidence and argumentation out there. This is the 'reflective' approach as opposed to the 'intuitive' approach.

 

[George-ananda]

"Those who get the right answer reveal a more reflective thinking style, while those who get it wrong are more likely to be intuitive thinkers. Those who gave the intuitive (and incorrect) answers to all three questions were 1.5 times more likely to say they were certain of God's existence than those who got all three questions correct."

So according to this intuitive people are those who go with their first guess and are more often wrong. And those are also the people who are more likely to believe in God.
Can you see a pattern developing here?

I see the pattern you are trying to point out. Those less reflective are more likely to believe in God. Those more reflective (and get the right answer to logical problems) are less likely to believe in God. Most people stop there and identify as 'believer' or 'non-believer' and we see a relationship of more reasoned processing with 'non-belief'. I am thinking some of the even more reflective types are not really satisfied by either of the two straight-forward positions and tend to beliefs more complicated.

 

[Guy Threepwood]

I read the article. In their bat/ball question I am the more 'reflective' type; the type less likely to believe in God than the 'intuitive' type.

That makes sense to me because I am not comfortable referring to my spiritual beliefs as 'faith' as the intuitive type of person might. To me, I would call my spiritual beliefs the most reasonable analysis of all the evidence and argumentation out there. This is the 'reflective' approach as opposed to the 'intuitive' approach.

Yes, I noticed it talks about measuring 'faith' and 'belief' yet the question itself explicitly measures 'certainty'. As with most 'studies' like this the desired result is determined by the questions. It would be interesting to see the original study but the link didn't work.

In the real world- was atheist Hoyle a more critical thinker than the priest Lemaitre? Was Max Planck adverse to 'looking at a wider range of alternatives'?!

The first rule of critical thought is being able to objectively examine your own beliefs/ bias, a little tricky for atheists who don't even acknowledge having any!

 

[Unveiled Artist]

"Those who get the right answer reveal a more reflective thinking style, while those who get it wrong are more likely to be intuitive thinkers. Those who gave the intuitive (and incorrect) answers to all three questions were 1.5 times more likely to say they were certain of God's existence than those who got all three questions correct."

So according to this intuitive people are those who go with their first guess and are more often wrong. And those are also the people who are more likely to believe in God.
Can you see a pattern developing here?

Well, it did give a disclaimer that its not calling intuitive people not smart. I do think, though, that people who give answers on first impulse may not notice that sometimes that can get them in trouble. I guessed ten myself, so...

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I

I read the article. In their bat/ball question I am the more 'reflective' type; the type less likely to believe in God than the 'intuitive' type.

That makes sense to me because I am not comfortable referring to my spiritual beliefs as 'faith' as the intuitive type of person might. To me, I would call my spiritual beliefs the most reasonable analysis of all the evidence and argumentation out there. This is the 'reflective' approach as opposed to the 'intuitive' approach.

I notice you do have somewhat of a belief in a "something?" many would not associate, according to this persons study, coming from a reflective thinker. That is, if its true that reflective thinkers are straight atheist. But it does say that atheists are on the spectrum of intuitive though. Just not so strong as being critical.

I see myself as a reflective thinker but I failed the math question and jumped to ten. I guess I have a desposition. (If thats the right word?) to believe in a higher power. Maybe. Dont know.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Actually I'm not convinced by the way they have defined "intuitive" in this study. I think "instinctive" might be a more accurate description of what they were testing.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/intuitive

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Actually I'm not convinced by the way they have defined "intuitive" in this study. I think "instinctive" might be a more accurate description of what they were testing.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/intuitive

Actually, Id agree with the article definition. Some dictionaries are actually bias in their def. Id say intuition is using gut feelings to make decisions rather than critical thought. So, like today, I had some runing around to do. Everything went well, and my first "intuitive" thought was that my grandmother and the spirits helped with the day. It was a rational thought in the context of my beliefs But it wasnt based on reflective thinking but gut or intuitive instinct and intuition.

I think thats what the author means. I guess I can see both def. applying.

 

[allfoak]

Logic and intuition are two ways we use to interpret the world around us.
Men are often polarized to the logic end of the scale, while women the intuition end.

Intuition is not clouded by the sense of logic but is dependent upon it to interpret what it sees.
Logic thinks it can see just fine without intuition.
This is equivalent to not using your headlights while driving at night.

Intuition sees, logic interprets.
The reason why those who are intuitive are considered sensitive is because they interpret life primarily through emotion.
This is also the reason why they are more apt to accept that there is more to life than the material realm, they are more connected to their inner life, while those using primarily logic are more connected to the outer life.

 

[George-ananda]

I notice you do have somewhat of a belief in a "something?" many would not associate, according to this persons study, coming from a reflective thinker. That is, if its true that reflective thinkers are straight atheist. But it does say that atheists are on the spectrum of intuitive though. Just not so strong as being critical.

I am not an Atheist. I am an Advaita non-dualist (God and creation are not-two) so I am a Theist of sorts.

What I was saying is reflective people often start off with a naïve belief in Theism from their parents and religious institutions. Then their reflective nature often turns them to Atheists. But then their very reflective nature will begin to doubt their Atheism but not go back to the naïve Theism of their youth. They develop more complex views than am I 'Atheist or Theist' as maybe neither one feels quite right.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I am not an Atheist. I am an Advaita non-dualist (God and creation are not-two) so I am a Theist of sorts.

What I am saying is it seems you believe in "something" (as you just confirmed) and, from how I read the article, it doesnt reflect a reflective thinker If (I said) that they are refering to a reflective thinker as an athiest.

What I was saying is reflective people often start off with a naïve belief in Theism from their parents and religious institutions. Then their reflective nature often turns them to Atheists. But then their very reflective nature will begin to doubt their Atheism but not go back to the naïve Theism of their youth. They develop more complex views than am I 'Atheist or Theist' as maybe neither one feels quite right.

That may be true and its a huge generalization for the population like myself who is an atheist but for many we find it not important to identify as such. I know I didnt become an atheist due to reflective thinking. I just stoped practicing christianity because of it. In short, very huge generalization.

I mean, theists can be reflective thinkers. I just think if they are (and hopefuly contribute to this thread too), they may do so from the perspective of their faith; reafirming their belief rather than outside it.

I disagree, though. Reflective thinking in itself doesnt turn one to disbelief. It may for some. As a general statement, I see no connection.

 

[Twilight Hue]

That math question was a great example. It even caught me at first until explained why the commonly givin answer was in error. Definitely shows the practicality and value for reflective thinking as opposed to a quick intuitive answer and conclusion.

Nice.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

That math question was a great example. It even caught me at first until explained why the commonly givin answer was in error. Definitely shows the practicality and value for reflective thinking as opposed to a quick intuitive answer and conclusion.

Nice.

Here is the ironic thing about it. I said ten and now I dont know how I got the answer ten. Maybe believers dont (well, some dont want to I was told directly) want to question or reflect on their answers (their beliefs) and take it as it is. I honestly tried solving the problem. I keep getting 1.55 cents. Since half of 1.10 is 55 cents plus a dollar is 1.55.

How did they get 1.05?

 

[Unification]

This is an interesting collection of studies that observes how people who think intuitive are more likely to believe in a higher power than a person who is a reflective thinker. It is a simple and good read. Its also best discussed once read rather than my making a brief summary.

I also know non believers are more likely to discuss this. It would be nice to have believers opinions as well.

http://io9.com/5842294/why-intuition-makes-people-more-likely-to-believe-in-god

I like how Mr. Spiny put it... instinctive rather than intuitive.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I like how Mr. Spiny put it... instinctive rather than intuitive.

Oh. Misread. Well, Id assume intuition would be based on instinct or gut feelings. "I have a sudden intuition that this is the answer, so I will go off my first instinct, trusting my gut feeling, then making a jump on impulse and, by luck, proving my intuition correct..by confirming with my view of reality preset."

 

[Unification]

Oh. Misread. Well, Id assume intuition would be based on instinct or gut feelings. "I have a sudden intuition that this is the answer, so I will go off my first instinct, trusting my gut feeling, then making a jump on impulse and, by luck, proving my intuition correct..by confirming with my view of reality preset."

Intuition:
The ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.

If something is understood, how can it be answered wrong?

Maybe it can be a sudden feeling or emotion.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Intuition:
The ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.

If something is understood, how can it be answered wrong?

Maybe it can be a sudden feeling or emotion.

It was based on intuition. It was based on gut feeling, a sudden emotion. I made the decision and hoped my intuition or cause for sudden emotions was correct.

Like the math problem. The intuitive people (people who used their intuition) went off gut feeling to answer the question. We trust our intuition to he correct while reflective people dont do that.

Im confused. Are we talkin pass each other?

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Like the math problem. The intuitive people (people who used their intuition) went off gut feeling to answer the question. We trust our intuition to he correct while reflective people dont do that.

But the study showed that the intuitive types got it wrong more often. Does being wrong not bother anyone?

 

[Thana]

This is an interesting collection of studies that observes how people who think intuitive are more likely to believe in a higher power than a person who is a reflective thinker. It is a simple and good read. Its also best discussed once read rather than my making a brief summary.

I also know non believers are more likely to discuss this. It would be nice to have believers opinions as well.

http://io9.com/5842294/why-intuition-makes-people-more-likely-to-believe-in-god

What purpose is there for this study and why would I take it seriously when they mention at the end that it's just a correlation, Sorry, 'Casual link'?

Also, They let everyone know that they aren't saying Theists are stupid. That they felt the need to emphasize this raises some flags imo.