The Intelligence of Intuition

People often confuse intuition with a sixth sense or the arbitrary judgments of inept decision-makers. Gerd Gigerenzer's book argues that intuition is a form of unconscious intelligence based on years of experience that evolved to deal with uncertain and dynamic situations where logic and big data algorithms are of little benefit. He introduces the scientific study of intuition and shows that it is not irrational caprice but is instead based on smart heuristics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Intuition, often conflated with a sixth sense or the subjective judgments of inexperienced decision-makers, is a subject that has been extensively studied by Gerd Gigerenzer. In his book, Gigerenzer delves into the war on intuition in the social sciences, beginning with the gendered perceptions of intuition as feminine and the subsequent opposition between biased intuition and logical rationality. This opposition was popularized in two-system theories, which argue that human intuition should be replaced by perfect algorithms. However, this book challenges these beliefs by proposing that intuition is a form of unconscious intelligence rooted in years of experience that evolved to navigate uncertain and dynamic situations where traditional logic and big data algorithms are limited in their effectiveness.

Gigerenzer introduces the scientific study of intuition, highlighting that it is not an irrational whim but rather a sophisticated system of smart heuristics. He demonstrates that intuition is not a random or arbitrary process but rather a honed skill honed through years of exposure to different situations. By examining the cognitive mechanisms behind intuition, Gigerenzer sheds light on how it can be harnessed to make better decisions.

This book is of interest to researchers, students, and general readers who are passionate about decision-making, heuristics, biases, cognitive psychology, and behavioral public policy. It provides a comprehensive exploration of intuition, challenging prevailing beliefs and offering valuable insights into how we can harness this powerful form of intelligence to improve our decision-making processes.

Weight: 281g
ISBN-13: 9781009304894