Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic

Visionary decision making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic

A man of reason uses reasoning or logic to make decision, while a man of passion uses intuition. Logic uses observable phenomenon or empirical evidence. It is objective and rational. While intuition is based on ones own feelings, conscience.

Both logic and intuition have their advantages and limitations. Intution helps us decide in a new scenario with no experience. Where we donot have data to analyse. Intuition takes into consideration anecdotes, which are based on individual human experience. They have an human element and are not dry as data.

While logic uses analysis of data points, empirical evidences. It is rational and individual biases do not come into play. Often these decision are sustainable as they are based on firm ground reality. But limitation of logic is that not everything can be objectified. Data cannot measure intensity of human emotions, cultural and historical contexts. It can also be limited may not take all the parameters into considerations.

Hence the best decisions are those which happens at the intersection of intuition and logic. It should primarily be based on logic and intuition should be an added layer. Logic can be justified to others and intuition can be justified to ones inner conscience.

If we look at the ancient India, the Mauryan empire reached its zenith in the reign of Ashoka. In his administration he used the moral teachings of dhamma as well as realist advices of Arthashastra. His message to the common people was based on dhamma. He asked people to maintain harmony, respect others, live a virtuous life. It was intuition based. While the teaching of Arthashastra gave practical advice on statecraft. Like using Mandala theory to expand the empire. It askes to make neighbour’s neighbour a friend. Which helped in opening two front war. It gives an elaborate system of administration of effective governance. Arthashastra also provides a spy system so as no body conspire against King. It was the combination of dhamma and arthashastra which gave Ashoka a legitmacy to rule and power to rule. Legitimacy among subjects through moral messages and realist advice to deal with contendors of power.

It was not just political arena but also in the religious developments that happened in the history used the intersection of intellect and emotions to send message across people. Teachings of India philosophers and saints in combination with each other gave a comprehensive package of logic and emotions. While texts like upanishads give philosophical teachings like Vedanta to intellectuals, bhakti saints on the other hand gave simple devotional tools to masses. This made Hindu teaching resilient and spread accross Indian subcontinent. Saints who tought both reason and emotions became popular among all. Like Kabir das, the medieval era saint is an intersection of rational teaching and emotional appeals. Modern Indian philosopher Rajneesh Osho called him a mixture of Buddha and Meerabai. He has his reach equally among masses and intellectuals.

Even in the political sphere, leaders who uses both logic and intuition are the one who were most successful. Most popular political figure in the history of India is Mahatma Gandhi. He is a perfect example of successful use of logic and intuition in decision making. Initial phase of freedom struggle was struggling to involve masses into it. Those who was leading Indian national congress took logical decisions. They used prayers, petition, writings to call for greater involvement of Indians in administration. But its was Gandhi with his innovative ideas appealed masses and made Congress the main advocate to talk on behalf of people. He used the concept of Ramrajya — which people could connect with and he defined it as most democratic form of government. He used symbols like charkha, salt, simple dresses and became a bridge between common people and intellectuals. Thus the logic and intuition combined made Gandhiji popular leader and an inspirational figure for other leaders across world like Martin Luther king Jr.

With logic the predictions are made based on past data, it may not always give best result. As it does not know what is happening in human heart. So logic has a limitation, so does the intuition as it can fail if one is not able to sense the situation well or when biases comes in. So the intersection of both often gives best result.

Gandhiji also gave the concept of cooperatives. This form of companies can also be considered as intersection between logic and intuition. As it is based on social capital and professional management. The cooperation and trust among people empowers them to collectively own a company and using professional, logical administration it competes with corporate sector. Similarly Self Help groups uses both trust and finance for empowerment of women. Thus with logic and intuition empowerment of common people is also possible.

Today we are facing the challenge of environmental degradation. It requires multisectoral efforts. From technical solutions of geoengineering to people’s participation and reverence for nature. Often the environmental conferences missed the importance of participation of people and excessively focused on governmental efforts. The importance of people’ participation is realised. Emotional connect of common man to nature is pushing them demand for conservation and government is also aking for people to contribute in conservation. Indian Prime minister launched Mission LiFE for the same. Thus common efforts of science and conscience will help us conserve our environment.

Our foreign policy has also evolved from idealism to principled realism. Idealist foreign alone does not serve national interest. For example our institution failed us to anticipate the Chinese attack in 1962. And realist policy often ignores the morality. Principled realism tries to make a balance of both in order to serve national interest and take moral stand too. Our stand in Russia Ukraine was exemplify it. Where we criticised the Russian actions but continue to maintain trade relations with it to meet to energy and defence needs.

In this essay we observed how an intersection of logic and intuition leads to best decisions, using various historical and contemporary examples to illustrate this statement. We saw how it holds true in economy of cooperatives and SHGs. We extended the argument to solving problem of environmental degradation using both scientific solution and reverence towards nature. We also looked at our foreign policy where we follow principled realism the intersection of idealism and realism to maintain balance between national interest and uphold moral responsibility. We saw the empire of Ashoka which used both dhamma and Arthashastra for effective and extensive rule. Similarly the use of logic and emotion to made Indian philosophies reach across the sections of society.

Intersection of logic and intuition indeed leads to best decision making. An idea which holds true across various sectors and historical context. Recognising this idea helps us appreciate the importance of using both logic and intuition is decision making and not relying any one alone.