Abstract

The thesis which I develop is that intuition is an integral process of the mind by which man can gain: intimations of relations within the phenomenal world; and, intimations of his relations to that which transcends the phenomenal world. ;The method by which I develop this thesis is a comparative study of what two notable philosophers have said about intuition. The philosophers are Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Martin Heidegger . Radhakrishnan was a Hindu, and Heidegger a German. Thus, their views represent an Eastern and a Western view of the subject. ;Based on a view of intuition which I find implicit in Radhakrishnan's writings, I take intuition to be an integral process of the mind which culminates in an act of insight. According to Radhakrishnan, the process is directed or intentional in that given a particular focus of concern, past and present experiences, which are related to the concern, are brought to bear upon that concern. Although it is clear to me that reason forms a part of the past experience which is brought to bear on a particular focus of concern, it forms no part of the act of insight which is the culmination of the integral process. ;Given Radhakrishnan's views regarding the use of intuition within the phenomenal world and what one scholar, writing about Radhakrishnan's views, said about the subject, it seems to me that by means of intuition, man can gain: penetrative insight into the structure of a situation or a problem; or creative insight into a chain of events or a series of logical transitions. ;I think that man has insights into structures ranging from the simple to the complex. Also, although creative insights are less common than the insights into structures, I think that is is clear that intuition is a common part of man's everyday life. ;I do not hold that man's insights constitute knowledge, i.e., nondiscursive knowledge. However, one can use reason to establish whether or not an insight is consistent with his understanding of the world. Also, I believe that a more developed form of intuition, i.e., integral insight, makes man aware of that which transcends his ability to know. ;Although Radhakrishnan and Heidegger had different views as to man's experience of the transcendent and the form thereof, they seemed to share the view that the transcendent is that which gives meaning, i.e., direction and purpose to one's life. ;It seems to me that direction is often given to man in the form of a direct or indirect message. An indirect message might be in the form of a symbol or an unspecified feeling. I think that man may gain a sense of purpose from the direction received. However, a lack of receptivity could spur a person to invent a purpose which may be at odds with the direction