1. IB Theory of Knowledge Ms. Halle Bauer
Defining Intution
IB Theory of Knowledge
Ms. Halle Bauer

2. What is intuition? Write a definition in your journal.
“Immediate cognition, or knowledge which is immediately evident without prior inference, evidence, or justification” (IB TOK Guide 26).
Malcolm Gladwell’s idea of the “adaptive unconscious”

3. How do we use intuition in real life?
Choose your own adventure!
Intuition in ETHICS: Behavioral economist Dan Ariely on intuitive moral judgments
Intuition in INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS: Anthropologist Wade Davis on the intuitions of the ethnosphere
Intuition in the NATURAL SCIENCES: Aaron O’Connell on challenging intuition in quantum mechanics
Intuition in the HUMAN SCIENCES: Hans Rosling on a lack of intuition, or ignorance

4. 1. Intuition in ETHICS
Answer ONE of the following questions In your journal...
Dan Ariely disagrees with Malcolm Gladwell in that he doesn’t believe we should trust our intuition without testing it first. What do you think? Is intuition a trustworthy way of knowing?
What role does intuition play in moral judgments, like the decision to cheat or not to cheat? Should we follow those intuitions?
FREE FORM RESPONSE: What new insights about intuition did you gain from this TED talk?

5. 2. Intuition in INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS
Answer ONE of the following questions In your journal...
Wade Davis gives examples of indigenous intuition that is often used in combination with other WOKs. How does intuition complement the other ways of knowing? How does it detract from them?
To what extent is intuition cultural? Does that make it more or less reliable as a way of knowing?
FREE FORM RESPONSE: What new insights about intuition did you gain from this TED talk?

6. 3. Intuition in the NATURAL SCIENCES
Answer ONE of the following questions In your journal…
Aaron O’Connell begins his talk with an explanation of the logical brain and the intuitive brain in conflict over the theory of quantum mechanics. Why was intuition important to his discovery? What role does intuition play in the construction of new knowledge?
Is intuition necessary as a scientist? Is it desirable as a WOK in the natural sciences?
FREE FORM RESPONSE: What new insights about intuition did you gain from this TED talk?

7. 4. Intuition in the HUMAN SCIENCES
Hans Rosling suggests that the media incorrectly primes our intuitions, leading to ignorance. What do you think informs our intuitions that are so often incorrect?
Should we ever trust our intuition? Is it a trustworthy way of knowing, given that we often follow our biases?
FREE FORM RESPONSE: What new insights about intuition did you gain from this TED talk?

8. Other AWESOME Resources
An intuition survey! Caution: disturbing.
Uk5
Intuition in MATH: RadioLab on our numerical intuition
Intuition in the HUMAN SCIENCES: Radiolab on priming our intuitions

9. Small Group Discussions: Blink
Write TWO discussion questions based on the article.
Ask your questions in your small group!
Some extra ideas:
What sticks out to you as interesting or surprising from the article?
Do you think intuition is a trustworthy way of knowing? Think of a real-life situation to back up your answer.
Come with up another knowledge question you could ask about intuition.