Wuity as Higher Cognition Combining Intuitive and Deliberate Judgments for Creativity: Analyzing Elon Musk’s Way to Innovate

Abstract

Derived from unifying dual-process theories of cognitive psychology, we propose a new concept of deliberate intuition as a construct of higher-level cognition that integrates intuitive and deliberate judgments. We introduce “Wuity” cognition embedded into Chinese philosophy, which is defined by the capability of deliberate intuition and intuitive insights, based on imagery reasoning and non-dualistic thinking and manifested as mindful observation and visual analogy. We develop a framework of five features of Wuity and six steps of Wuity-based innovation. As a case study illustrating our method, we analyze Elon Musk’s way to innovate and discuss common aspects of Wuity as a higher cognition and creative thinking way of innovators in East and West.