Q&A: Rationalism by Means of Intuition
Rationalism by Means of Intuition
Question
Hello, lately I’ve been wondering whether I’m a rational person.
From what I understand, a rational person is someone who has a consistent way of acting to solve problems.
Now, for example, in my head there are two voices making opposing claims about reality, such that both claims cannot be true at the same time. Assuming I have no evidence or proof—scientific or philosophical—to show who is right. Rather, the only thing I have is an intuition that one of them is right. As a rational person, should I follow my intuition, or should I remain in doubt until they bring me more evidence and proof for their view?
Answer
Every piece of evidence or proof is based on fundamental assumptions, and those are themselves grounded in intuition. Therefore, there is nothing at all irrational about using intuition to make decisions. Intuition is not the opposite pole of rationality, but rather the foundation of rational thought. I discussed this at length in Truth and Stability and in Two Carts.