Ancient philosophy Early mentions and definitions of intuition can be traced back to Plato. In his Republic he tries to define intuition as a fundamental capacity of human reason to comprehend the true nature of reality. In his works Meno and Phaedo, he describes intuition as a pre-existing knowledge residing in the "soul of eternity", and as a phenomenon by which one becomes conscious of pre-existing knowledge. He provides an example of mathematical truths, and posits that they are not arrived at by reason. He argues that these truths are accessed using a knowledge already present in a dormant form and accessible to our intuitive capacity. This concept by Plato is also sometimes referred to as anamnesis. The study was later continued by his intellectual successors, the Neoplatonists.
ancient philosophy early mentions and definitions of intuition can be traced back to plato in his republic he tries to define intuition as a fundamental capacity of human reason to comprehend the true nature of reality in his works meno and phaedo he describes intuition as a pre-existing knowledge residing in the "soul of eternity" and as a phenomenon by which one becomes conscious of pre-existing knowledge he provides an example of mathematical truths and posits that they are not arrived at by reason he argues that these truths are accessed using a knowledge already present in a dormant form and accessible to our intuitive capacity this concept by plato is also sometimes referred to as anamnesis the study was later continued by his intellectual successors the neoplatonists