Is Intuition Really Different from Reasoning?

This perspective from Artificial Intuition Research (AIR), authored by Janhavi Mathur, explores whether intuition and reasoning are distinct cognitive processes or overlapping ways of making judgments. Drawing on research into dual-process theories, it examines how autonomous processing, working-memory demands, and decision strategies contribute to our understanding of intuitive and deliberate judgment. The paper discusses critiques of traditional distinctions between fast and slow thinking and highlights why response speed, awareness, and effort alone may not explain how a judgment is reached. It argues that distinguishing intuition from reasoning requires careful definitions and evidence that can separate competing explanations.