Analytical/Intuitive Thinking

by Charles B. Parselle
November 2005
This article discusses the different strengths and weaknesses of analytical and intuitive
thinking, which combined may be called holistic thinking. Because thinking is in its
nature invisible and abstract, the article uses an analogy by way of representation: the
anatomy of the cornea.

At the very center of the cornea are clustered cone cells, which have the function of
focusing on objects far or near. Surrounding the cone cells are the more numerous rod
cells, which provide peripheral vision. If the cone cells deteriorate, when one attempts to
focus upon an object, it disappears; a black spot in the center. But if you lose peripheral
vision, even if you retain the ability to focus, it is like observing the world one speck at a
time through the means of the focused beam of a flashlight. It is much easier to get
around with only peripheral vision than with only focused vision.

This analogy can be convincing when seeking to persuade lawyers that analysis is not
the whole universe of thinking. Lawyers are taught to specialize in analytical thinking.
They may do this to such an extent that they dismiss intuition as "touchy-feely." That
term betrays unawareness of the fact that just as the cone cells are surrounded by more
numerous rod cells, so the penetrative power of analytical thinking is only made
possible by the provision of context afforded by the intuitive. If you have no intuition of
where to look, you cannot focus the concentrated beam of analysis at the right target.

Analytical thinking is historically quite recent, whereas intuitive thinking has been
mankind’s chief possession since the dawn of time. As far as Western civilization is
concerned, the classical Greeks “invented” analytical thinking; the Romans built really
straight roads with it, the Dark Ages lost it, and the Enlightenment rediscovered it. We
can partly attribute the triumphs and perils of our modern civilization to the relative
imbalance in the importance afforded to analytical versus intuitive skills over the last
four hundred years. The current dysfunction of the legal system is also in part a
consequence of this imbalance. The broad mission of mediation may be to restore the
balance, because we are now in a time when the perils threaten to outweigh the
triumphs. Overly analytical people are to a large extent “blind;” what our society needs
is people who can “think” with a whole eye, which is called holistic thinking – only those
who are out of touch with feeling call this ‘touchy-feely.’

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 to the abstract. Analytical thinking is efficient in the following
conditions – sufficient time, relatively static conditions, a clear differentiation between
the observer and the observed. It is best suited for dealing with complexities, and works
best where there are established criteria for the analysis (for example, rules of law). It is
necessary when an explanation is required, seeks the best option, and can be taught in
the classroom to beginners.
Intuitive thinking has contrasting qualities: it is unfocused, nonlinear, contains "no time,"
sees many things at once, views the big picture, contains perspective, is heart centered,
oriented in space and time, and tends to the real or concrete. Intuition comes into its
own where analytical thinking is inadequate: under time pressure, where conditions are
dynamic, where the differentiation between observer and observed is unclear. It works
best where the observer has experience in the particular situation, is difficult to teach in
the classroom, eschews seeking the ‘best’ option in favor of the ‘workable,’ and is
prepared to act on feelings or hunches where explanations are either not required or
there is no time for them. Intuition is experience translated by expertise to produce rapid
action.

Intuition is limited where the task is complex and uncertain, where the observer lacks
experience, or the observation is distorted by biases or fixed ideas. Its weakness is a
tendency to produce a fixed attitude or mindset that ignores new data; that is why the
analytical thinking of the Enlightenment was so revolutionary. Intuition is ineffective for
predicting the stock market, or for discovering that the heart is a pump, or for dissecting
a legal problem.

When analytical and intuitive abilities are combined, the result is ‘holistic.’ In order to
effect settlements and resolutions, it is necessary to move people out of a
rights/obligations/win-lose mindset into a needs/interests/mutual gain mindset, which is
what mediation is all about – this requires holistic thinking abilities.

ANALYTICAL INTUITIVE

Time No time
Static Dynamic
Linear Non-linear
One thing Many things
Small picture Big picture
Focused Non-focused
Deliberative Instantaneous
No perspective Perspective
Classroom taught Experience taught
Objective Subjective
Best option Workable option
Needed when explanation required Needed when action required
Deconstructive Constructive
Object differentiation Pattern matching
Objective/subjective differentiation No clear objective/subjective
Brain centered Heart centered
Disoriented Oriented
Abstract Concrete
Historically new Historically old
Lawyers Firefighters
What do we mean by strategy?
1. A method or plan chosen to bring about a desired future, such as achievement of a
goal or solution to a problem. 2. The art and science of planning and marshalling
resources for their most efficient and effective use. The term is derived from the Greek
word for generalship or leading an army.

Analogy Definition
An analogy is a comparison in which an idea or a thing is compared to
another thing that is quite different from it. It aims at explaining that idea or
thing by comparing it to something that is familiar. Metaphors and similes are
tools used to draw an analogy. Therefore, analogy is more extensive and
elaborate than either a simile or a metaphor. Consider the following example:

The structure of an atom is like a solar system. The nucleus is the sun, and electrons are the planets
revolving around their sun.

Example of Analogy in Everyday Life

We commonly use analogy in our everyday conversation. Some common
analogy examples are given below:

 Life is like a race. The one who keeps running wins the race, and the
one who stops to catch a breath loses.
 Just as a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a
writer.
 How a doctor diagnoses diseases is like how a detective investigates
crimes.
 Just as a caterpillar comes out of its cocoon, so we must come out of
our comfort zone.
 You are as annoying as nails on a chalkboard.