Counterintuitive
Counterintuitive
Counterintuitive (pronunciation: /ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtjuːɪtɪv/) is an adjective used to describe something that is contrary to what one's intuition or common sense would suggest.
Etymology
The term is derived from the English words "counter," meaning against, and "intuitive," meaning based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning.
Definition
A counterintuitive proposition is one that does not seem likely to be true when assessed using intuition, common sense, or gut feelings. Scientifically discovered, objective truths are often counterintuitive. As such, a counterintuitive result is often seen as an advance in knowledge.
Related Terms
- Intuition: The ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.
- Common Sense: Sound practical judgment concerning everyday matters, or a basic ability to perceive, understand, and judge things that is shared by nearly all people.
- Cognitive Bias: A systematic error in thinking that affects the decisions and judgments that people make.
- Paradox: A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
Usage
The term is often used in fields such as mathematics, physics, and psychology to describe situations where the outcome is not what would naturally be expected. For example, in medicine, it may seem counterintuitive that a certain medication causes symptoms it is supposed to treat, but this can occur due to various factors such as dosage and individual reactions to the medication.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Counterintuitive
- Wikipedia's article - Counterintuitive
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