Pathfinding: a neurodynamical account of intuition

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• Intuition is often defined as an experience-based process leading to a spontaneous hypothesis.
• A consistent neurobiological foundation for intuition remains elusive in scientific literature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a neurobiological framework for intuition, viewing it as an evolutionary pathfinding mechanism.
• To synthesize empirical findings on the neural basis of intuition and its relation to cognitive states.
• To propose a neurodynamical model of intuition.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of empirical findings on intuition's neurobiological basis.
• Examination of relevant brain networks and their connection to cognitive states like insight.
• Application of nonlinear neurodynamics, the free energy principle, and metastable coordination dynamics.

Main Results:

• Intuition is framed as the brain optimizing its environmental relationship.
• Unsolved problems may dynamically alter attractor landscapes, guiding intuitions.
• Hippocampal sharp wave ripples are identified as potential neural correlates of intuition, linked to creativity and planning.

Conclusions:

• The free energy principle and metastable coordination dynamics offer complementary perspectives on intuition.
• These principles provide a comprehensive neurodynamical account of intuition's neurophenomenology.
• This work establishes a firmer neurobiological foundation for understanding intuition.