Title: [This is the first thread I've started here on HN, so I apologize if I made some kind of obvious blunder.]<p>I was wondering what other hackers' opinions are regarding the value and importance of rational thinking versus intuitive thinking.<p>By intuitive thinking I mean "going with your gut," doing something because it "feels right," and pursuing something you feel inspired to pursue even though you don't have any rational explanation why at the time.<p>Rational thinking, on the other hand, would be having a fully realized logical plan and explanation for your actions and decisions.<p>In the past, I have met some hacker types who think that rationality is the be-all end-all of everything, and that if you can't explain or prove something rationally, then it's not of any value.<p>Personally, I think that intuition can be more powerful than rationality in some cases, and certainly equally important to train and be able to use. (In my experience, decisions and actions based on intuition usually end up having a rational explanation, I just don't fully understand until later.)<p>I also think that you can train your intuition, or at least train yourself to recognize when your intuition is good, and then follow it.<p>Since most people here are trying to think of something new and useful, I imagine that they understand the importance of creativity and imagination, and since intuition and inspiration are crucial for that, I would guess that most people here basically agree with me, but I was wondering what other hackers have to say about this.<p>What do you think? 
Thanks.
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