Same topic I've hit on before, just reminded of it tonight. Intuition uses a different part of the brain than rational thought. My understanding of how it works is that the brain saves emotions having to do with certain situations, as opposed to the whole thought process of how one got to feeling that way.

In this way, intuition can store and compare much more information than rational thought processes, but the frame of reference is lost.

I consider both thought processes valuable. And I'm not even entirely sure which I trust more. Rational analysis is more "accurate" in its realm, but its based on a much smaller picture than intuition, and it is often missing pieces that are very significant and can change the whole outcome. Intuition has similar problems, in that the frame of reference can have a big impact on how significant the feeling is.

So I like to use both. I depend more on the rational thought process, because it lends itself to being understood, and I like to understand things ;) Also, I can convert my intuition to rational thought, whereas consciously converting rational thought to intuition doesn't tend to be as effective: at least, given the amount of effort that would be involved.

Even converting intuition to rational thought takes a lot of work, when it is even possible. It often is. I start with the intuitive feeling, and just think about where its likely to come from. As I dig around I often end up finding leads to ideas that are far from what I would have expected. And it often takes a lot of work to convert the concepts to words.

In the NT "rational" dominated circle that I tend to travel, intuition does not stand of its own accord. Which is fine, as I am part of that circle due largely of similar preferences. But while I do not wish to accept intuition without questioning it, I also don't wish to dismiss it because of the difficulty of questioning it. And I will sometimes make decisions based on intuition even though I don't "understand" it. (typically those saying I should be more cautious than I have rationally devised is reasonable)

Since comprehension and analysis are my talents, and understanding psychology is one of my desires, I've gotten pretty good at studying my intuitions and converting them to forms that I can communicate to rationals. (communication itself is not a strong point for me unfortunately, but I can communicate with those who "speak my language;" either naturally or by having a lot of experience with me)

The reason I'm thinking about all this tonight is the uncomfortableness of when I feel rushed on this process. When speaking with someone who values the rational thought process significantly higher than the intuitive, and when decisions are being made quickly, I don't have time to figure out my intuitions, and "this is how I feel" doesn't tend to carry any weight ;) Plus, trying to rush often blocks off my ability to do the conversion. Its generally a relaxed, exploratory process, so when feeling result oriented and defensive (defensive because of not wanting to dismiss the feeling that I can't explain and feeling pressured to dismiss it), I often can't get anywhere.