Theory:Intuitive aptitude

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The following fan theories are about intuitive aptitude.

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Theories

Theory	Citations	Notes
Sylar's intuitive aptitude is actually Heroes' version of "super intelligence".	None.	+ Sylar is very intelligent and can find very quick solutions to seemingly difficult problems.
Sylar's abilities may extend beyond just figuring out systems and objects. His intuitive analysis may extend to figuring out "clues" about people and things - a sort of super-Sherlock Holmes level of observation and intuition.	When Sylar is first imprisoned in his cell and being questioned by Mr. Bennet, he seems to quickly figure out who Claire is - that she is the cheerleader he wanted, that she is Bennet's daughter, etc. (Fallout)	+ Given that he was previously misled as to the cheerleader's identity (Homecoming), it is hard to explain how he suddenly came to these conclusions about Claire, much less her name. If this theory proves true, Sylar figured this out by watching Bennet as they were talking and picking up on intuitive clues, bits of data he did not have before he could "observe" Bennet. He did say that he can figure out what makes people "tick". - An alternative is that Sylar possesses some other telepathic ability similar to Matt Parkman's and was reading Bennet's mind. This seems less likely, however - especially since the Haitian can easily block such abilities. + Sylar's "native" power of intuition may have been much harder to suppress, and he could still use it even while imprisoned. If his powers were slowly coming back to him after being captured, it may make sense that his first ability was also the first to return and be usable. Also, the Haitian's blocking ability seems to work best against powers that require concentration, and Sylar's intuitive aptitude may be something he does unconsciously. - Sylar probably learned about Claire from Chandra and his research. Chandra had a photo of Claire and even contacted Mr. Bennet concerning the possibility of her being an evolved human. + This explains how Sylar was able to understand how to control the abilities of those he stole much faster. Dale, Zane, and Ted all could not fully control their powers, not even Peter. Sylar can understand how things work so perhaps, with just a short about of time, he can understand how to use and control the abilities of those he steals them from quicker than the original owner themselves.
A person with intuitive aptitude may be a small-scale version of Laplace's Demon.	Laplace's Demon is a hypothetical intellect that would know the precise location and momentum of every atom in the universe. With this knowledge, it would know every event in the universe's past, present, and future.	+ One of the main criticisms of Laplace's Demon is that the intellect would have to be capable of computing the future states of the universe faster than they actually occur. However, this is not a problem with small-scale systems such as a watch or a human brain. + Another criticism of Laplace's Demon is that the slightest uncertainty of a single electron would make its prediction impossible. But this is not a problem for a regular, mechanical system that performs the same functions repeatedly.
Intuitive aptitude is different in nature from other abilities.	Chandra was unable to detect Sylar's ability of intuitive aptitude. (Six Months Ago) A Company scientist was unable to detect in Sylar the "codon switches" for any ability other than telekinesis. (Godsend) Whatever shut down Sylar's abilities after Kirby Plaza has not affected his intuitive aptitude. Sylar clearly still "understood" the inner workings of Candice's brain. (Kindred) || • Sylar does not "understand" well enough to use the Candice's ability yet, unless her ability didn't allow her to actually see the illusions.
Intuitive aptitude grants the ability to understand situations and strategize accordingly.	Sylar seems to know the best thing to do in many situations. This is apparent in The Kindness of Strangers when he kills Derek and when he is able to take Maya and Alejandro across the border into America.	+ Both situations work out in the best for Sylar. + The trademark "tick-tocking" sound is heard as Sylar is seen thinking before he murders Derek. - Sylar was unable to use intuitive aptitude then due to the Shanti virus.
Intuitive aptitude allows Sylar to subconsciously detect evolved humans. However, he can be distracted or misled by information he learns consciously. Input to his conscious mind overrides the input of his subconscious mind.	None.	+ Sylar mistook Jackie Wilcox for an evolved human only because the newspaper misled him. + Sylar was able to detect Charlie's power but not Hiro's because Charlie was the only one who mentioned her power. This drew Sylar's attention to Charlie and away from Hiro. • If this is true, this would imply that intuitive aptitude requires some degree of deliberate control. - It was stated in the graphic novel that Charlie was the last name he got off of Chandra's list. He watched her waiting to see what her power was, then heard her mention "remembering stuff lately."
Intuitive aptitude means that Sylar will automatically understand how a power works when he takes the brain out and examines it, this means that he might still be able to use illusion as he understands how it works.	None.	+ Sylar seems to be able to control his newly acquired powers relatively quickly and easy.
If Sylar were to take Matt Parkman's power or anyone with a similar ability, he would no longer have to remove the brain to learn the power. Telepathy, coupled with intuitive aptitude would make it so Sylar wouldn't have to kill a single person to take their power.	In Season 2, Matt developed the ability to pry secrets and knowledge from others and dig deep into the psyche, even things the person tried to hide from him.	+ Given what we know about the nature of intuitive aptitude, and Matt Parkman's telepathy these powers, if combined by Sylar could give him the power to simply learn abilities out of his victims heads, without ever removing their brains or using telekinesis. - Sylar's ability to learn the inner workings of evolved humans' brains seems contingent on physically interacting with the brain. Matt Parkman's ability is based on detecting, reading, and manipulating thoughts, i.e. something that results from the inner workings of the brain. - After Peter acquires this ability, he uses telepathy to read Nathan's mind, but still feels the need to open up Nathan's head and see how his brain works.
If Sylar were to take Peter Petrelli's power, he would no longer have to remove the brain to learn the power.	None.	+ Peter can copy other abilities without killing others. - Peter needs to think about the person to be able to use their ability, and he needs practice, while Sylar ability helps him fully understand the power and what can be done with it, so Sylar's ability makes it easier to practice every ability, which is Peter's weakness. Though Peter now has Sylar's ability, he wants to receive powers through Sylar's method, possibly due to the hunger to learn. - Sylar wants to be special. So he would get rid of other evolved humans. + He would not have to remove their brains to "get rid of them". He could simply kill them in other ways after learning their power if he still wanted to dispose of them. - As of I Am Become Death we know that Sylar's hunger comes from his addiction to know how things work rather than his addiction to power. This was shown through Peter who suddenly had an innate desperation to see the inner workings of Nathan's thoughts. So if Sylar had Peter's ability then he would still kill to see how things worked.
If Sylar were to take Peter Petrelli's ability, he would also gain all the abilities Peter has absorbed.	When he fought Peter in Mohinder's apartment, after Peter turned invisible, Sylar said "Interesting, I can't wait to try that one." (.07%)	+ With Sylar's ability he would understand how Peter's ability worked, and be able to gain access to his absorbed abilities as well. - Sylar could be mistaken about the nature of Peter's ability, he hasn't examined Peter's brain and could simply think he will get all Peter's powers when he kills him.
Sylar can remotely rewire his own brain to gain abilites after observing a victim's brain.	He gained Claire's regeneration without taking any part of Claire's brain with him when he left, and did not seem disappointed that he couldn't kill Claire.	• This would mean that Sylar cuts people's heads open for the sole purpose of examining their brains, rather than doing anything else to or with their brains. • anything else he would do with their brain's would be "disgusting"