In Unit 14 we present Carl Jung’s conclusion that the psychological function of intuition is in its own right an independent decision-making function.

INTUITION AS A FUNCTION OF CONSCIOUS ORIENTATION

Decision-making as a purely psychic activity

Carl Jung says that before any action, “something of a purely psychic nature takes place: a decision is made about what is to be done.” (CW 6, par. 930)  Decision-making is a purely psychic activity.  However, the general meaning of the term “decision-making” is too narrow to give full expression to the complexities and psychic modes of decision-making.  Jung coined the term “orientation of consciousness” instead.  He writes: “… we speak of the ‘consciousness’ of a function only when its use is under the control of the will and, at the same time, its governing principle is the decisive one for the orientation of consciousness.” (CW 6, par. 667)  We can for instance say that intuition orients Christopher Hitchens’ consciousness.  He gets his ray of sunlight mainly through intuition and expresses his viewpoint in terms of the said irrational factor. 

Decision-making is a selective activity

Decisiveness necessitates selectivity.  Jung puts it as follows: “The activity of consciousness is selective.  Selection demands direction. But direction requires the exclusion of everything irrelevant.” (CW 6, par. 694) Selection is imperative for the orientation of consciousness.  How then does intuition select facts or decide on the strongest possibility as the solution to a specific problem?  Jung writes that whatever the intuitive individual does or does not do “is based not on rational judgement but on the sheer intensity of perception.” (CW 6, par. 616) Intuition thus selects through the sheer intensity of perception.

Intuition not only selects the strongest possibility that a situation holds in store but also strives “to apprehend the widest range of possibilities.” (CW 6, par. 612) Intuition apprehends the relative strengths inherent in the whole range of relevant possibilities and arranges them accordingly. 

Furthermore, it is a common misconception that dominant intuition mediates possibilities randomly without being selective.  Intuition not only selects the accidental facts that serve as springboard for intuitions but also selects the most ideal possibility in a specific situation, which becomes the decisive factor for the orientation of consciousness.  Dominant intuition is therefore selective and decisive.

CONCLUSION

Jung summarises by saying: “… the intuitive raises perception to the level of a differentiated function, by which he also achieves his adaptation to the world.  He adapts by means of unconscious directives, which he receives through an especially sensitive and sharpened perception and interpretation of dimly conscious stimuli.” (CW 6, par. 240)  Adaptation refers to the processes of mental adjustment and modification.  “The intuitive type,” says Jung, “goes by hunches, he sees around corners, he smells a rat a mile away.  He can give you perception and orientation in a situation where … your intellect [thinking] … are no good at all.” (C. G. Jung Speaking, p. 320, 1957) The individual with intuition goes by intuition.