The Will and Intellect

Ever wonder why we feel so much conflict within ourselves when we are faced with making a decision? The constant battle between our mind and our head. Follow me as we take a dive on this.

A reflection on the course offered by the MBA students, “The Nature of Human beings” and the discourse on the subject, and how it affects our decision-making. The will can be described as the faculty that deals with our desires and decisions, and always seeks out the truth.

The intellect is more of the reasoning and understanding duo of this pair. To the eyes, this seems more from a philosophical standpoint than a business point of view, no doubt these are like a siamese twin. Before we delve right into the matter, we need to understand that truth is relative and human decisions are influenced by a plethora of items.

The factors influencing our decisions are both of the internal and external origin; the external involves the information that we receive via our senses (events that occur in our daily walk), the internal deals more with our emotions and perceptions.

In view of this post, we will explore the relationship between the will and intellect using questions as these;

What’s the difference between the will and the intellect? How do they influence and interact with each other? Which is superior? How can we harness and harmonize them?

The opening paragraph explains the difference between the will and the intellect showcasing their jurisdiction, now this is a bit of an introspection, the will symbolizes the decision component, known as our consciences (or heart in Nigeria’s palance). It houses the desire to act according to a specific goal, value, or motive.

The intellect is the faculty that engages reasoning and logical understanding, mentioned in a few place as our cognitive ability or intelligence. For me, it’s the brain segment of our computer as it acquires and processes information passed to it. These information serves as the raw materials needed to pass judgement.

In my class, we talked about the intersection between the will and the intellect, here we will refer to this as the interplay. This duo is important in making decisions and can be conflicting at times, hence, need each other to produce a sound judgment in our area of influence. The will inspires an individual to commit to the truth or what’s true(i.e. empowers), while the intellect informs and regulates the will.

Based on the session held 13th April 2023, none of the duo is superior and both must be engaged consistently to gain mastery. A weak will lead to a poor decision, likewise the intellect. I have noticed that the impulse buying attitude of many is due to the weakness of the intellect, the will can manipulate the mind, alluring the individual to make bad decisions without thinking through the situation.

I’m not advocating for a preferential treatment for the intellect, as I recognize it can be indecisive and stubborn to issues bordering morality. Hence, I’m of the option, a fine balance should be attained between the intellect and the will.

In pursuance of a fine balance between both, we must cultivate these through practice and education, respect both within ourselves and others, seek for harmony in both and evaluate the excesses and defects in their submissions.

Finally, I will implore everyone to calmly recant their experiences and explore these faculties, their submissions, develop a deep thinking process that questions itself as we find answers to problems lying around.

#MMBA4