I read an interview earlier this week that discounted, well, derided, following your gut. For instance, she pointed out all that folks like Ted Bundy didn't look threatening. Thus quantifiable reasoning is the only way one should make decisions. (This is oversimplified for the sake of space. I'll post the link to the original when I find it.)
Oddly, people like Mr. Bundy are reasons I would cite to say trust your gut. There was no evidence he was dangerous until after he was caught. Same's true for most criminals, even today. Nothing readily researchable until after an arrest.Yet many people felt there was something wrong with Mr. Bundy and kept their distance. I don't know if it's spiritual attunement to deeper truth or just your subconscious picking up on subtle clues, but I've found my gut to be right. And ignoring it comes at my peril.
Another thought with this: innovation. Innovative thought is, by definition, pushes past known bounds. Trusting your gut is requisite. Only deciding based on detailed analysis kills innovation.
Thus, I say trust your gut. It's both aware of more, but also connected to the core, those deepest values. But learn to listen. Learn how our fears twist the voice, mess up the message. Then you'll hold true wisdom.
