This article discusses the different strengths and weaknesses of analytical and intuitive thinking, which combined can be called holistic thinking. Since thought is by nature invisible and abstract, the article uses an analogy as a representation: the anatomy of the cornea.
In the very center of the cornea there are grouped cone cells, which have the function of focusing on near or far objects. Surrounding the cones are the more numerous rods that provide peripheral vision. If the cone cells deteriorate, when one tries to focus on an object, it disappears; a black spot in the center. But if you lose your peripheral vision, even if you retain the ability to focus, it’s like looking at the world one speck at a time through the focused beam of a flashlight. It is much easier to move with peripheral vision alone than with focused vision alone.
This analogy can be convincing when trying to persuade lawyers that analysis is not the whole universe of thought. Lawyers are taught to specialize in analytical thinking. They may do this to such an extent that they dismiss intuition as “sensible.” That term betrays the ignorance of the fact that just as the cones are surrounded by more numerous rods, the penetrating power of analytical thought is only possible thanks to the provision of context provided by the intuitive. If you don’t have a sense of where to look, you can’t focus the concentrated scan beam on the correct target.
Analytical thinking is historically quite recent, while intuitive thinking has been humanity’s main possession since the beginning of time. As far as Western civilization is concerned, the classical Greeks “invented” analytical thinking; the Romans built truly straight roads with it, the Middle Ages lost it, and the Enlightenment rediscovered it. We can partly attribute the triumphs and dangers of our modern civilization to the relative imbalance in the importance placed on analytical versus intuitive skills over the last four hundred years. The current dysfunction of the legal system is also partly a consequence of this imbalance. The broad mission of mediation may be to restore balance, because we are now at a time when the dangers threaten to outweigh the triumphs. Overly analytical people are largely “blind”; what our society needs is people who can “think” with a complete eye, which is called holistic thinking; only those who are not in touch with feelings call it ‘sensitive touch’.
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 toward the abstract. Analytical thinking is efficient under the following conditions: enough time, relatively static conditions, a clear differentiation between the observer and the observed. It is best suited for dealing with complexities and works best when there are established criteria for the analysis (for example, rules of law). It is necessary when an explanation is required, the best option is sought, and it can be taught in the classroom to beginners.
Intuitive thinking has contrasting qualities: it is not focused, it is not linear, it does not contain “time”, it sees many things at once, it sees the big picture, it contains perspective, it is heart-centered, it is oriented in space and time and tends to the real or concrete. Intuition comes into play where analytical thinking is inadequate: under time pressure, where conditions are dynamic, where the distinction between observer and observed is unclear. It works best when the observer is experienced in the particular situation, is difficult to teach in the classroom, avoids looking for the ‘best’ option in favor of the ‘workable’ one, and is prepared to act on feelings or hunches when explanations are not necessary or necessary. there is no time for them. Intuition is experience translated into expertise to produce quick action.
Intuition is limited when the task is complex and uncertain, when the observer lacks experience, or when the observation is distorted by prejudices or fixed ideas. Its weakness is a tendency to produce a fixed attitude or mindset that ignores new data; This is why the analytical thought of the Enlightenment was so revolutionary. Intuition is ineffective in predicting the stock market, or in discovering that the heart is a pump, or in dissecting a legal problem.
When analytical and intuitive skills are combined, the result is ‘holistic’. To reach agreements and resolutions, it is necessary to move people from a rights/obligations/win-lose mentality to a needs/interests/win-win mentality, which is what mediation is all about; this requires holistic thinking skills.
ANALYTICAL
Time
Static
Linear
one thing
small image
In focus
Deliberative
no perspective
classroom taught
Purpose
Better option
Required when explanation is required
deconstructive
object differentiation
Objective/subjective differentiation
brain-focused
disorientated
Abstract
historically new
Lawyers
INTUITIVE
There is no time
Dynamic
nonlinear
many things
big picture
not focused
Instant
Perspective
taught experience
Subjective
Viable option
Required when action is required
Constructive
pattern matching
No objective/clear subjective
heart centered
oriented
Concrete
historically old
firemen