In fact the opposition of instinct and reason is mainly illusory. Instinct, intuition, or insight is what first leads to the beliefs which subsequent reason confirms or confutes; but the confirmation, where it is possible, consists, in the last analysis, of agreement with other beliefs no less instinctive. Reason is a harmonising, controlling force rather than a creative one. Even in the most purely logical realms, it is insight that first arrives at what is new.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Instinct and intuition often generate ideas that reason later evaluates, so reason mainly organizes rather than creates.
- In plain terms
- Insight sparks ideas; reason shapes them.
- What can you take from it?
- Trust your intuition as a source of new ideas.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When have you relied on instinct before reasoning?
- Can reason ever be truly creative?
Another view
Reason can also generate novel concepts without prior instinct.
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