Thought 37080 224588224 2008-07-09T15:23:24Z Mladifilozof 589644 /* External links */ {{otheruses}} {{redirect|Think}} {{Neuropsychology}} [[Image:Efez Celsus Library 4 RB.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Personification]] of thought ([[Greek language|Greek]] ''Εννοια'') in [[Celsus Library]] in [[Ephesos]], [[Turkey]]]] '''Thought''' and '''thinking''' are [[mind|mental]] [[Theory of forms|forms]] and [[process]]es, respectively ("thought" is both.) Thinking allows beings to [[model (abstract)|model]] the world and to deal with it effectively according to their [[objectives]], [[plans]], ends and [[desires]]. [[Words]] referring to similar concepts and processes include [[cognition]], [[sentience]], [[consciousness]], [[idea]], and [[imagination]]. ''Thinking'' involves the cerebral manipulation of [[information]], as when we form [[concepts]], engage in [[problem solving]], [[reason]] and make [[choice|decision]]s. Thinking is a higher [[cognitive]] function and the analysis of thinking processes is part of [[cognitive psychology]]. === Basic process === The basic mechanics of the human brain cells reflect a process of [[pattern matching]] or rather [[pattern recognition|recognition]] (see [[rational]] and [[Harmonia (mythology)|harmony]]). In a "moment of [[Human self-reflection|reflection]]", new situations and new [[experience]]s are judged against [[recall]]ed ones and [[judgement]]s are made. In order to make these judgements, the [[intellect]] maintains present [[experience]] and sorts relevant past experience. It does this while keeping present and past experience distinct and separate. The intellect can mix, match, merge, sift, and sort [[concept]]s, perceptions, and experience. This process is called [[reasoning]]. [[Logic]] is the science of [[reasoning]]. The awareness of this process of reasoning is access consciousness (see philosopher [[Ned Block]]). === Aids to thinking === # Use of [[model (abstract)|models]], [[symbol]]s, [[diagram]]s and [[picture]]s. # Use of [[abstraction]] to simplify the effort of thinking. # Use of [[metasyntactic variable]]s to simplify the effort of naming. # Use of [[iteration]] and [[recursion]] to converge on a [[concept]]. # Limitation of [[attention]] to aid [[concentration]] and focus on a concept. Use of peace and quiet to aid concentration. # Goal setting and goal revision. Simply letting the concept percolate in the subconscious, and waiting for the concept to re-surface. # Talking with like-minded people. Resorting to [[communication]] with others, if this is allowed. # [[Working backward from the goal]]. # Desire for [[learning]]. # Always be objective. === Pitfalls === # Self-[[delusion]]s: inability to confront relevant issues ([[roadblock]]s). # Prejudice can lead to flawed thinking == See also == {{portal|Thinking|Brain.png}} {{wiktionarypar|Thought|Think}} * [[Train of thought]] * [[Language of thought]] * [[Language and thought]] * [[Intrapersonal communication]] * [[Stream of consciousness (psychology)]] * [[List of basic thinking-related topics]] * [[Lists of thinking-related topics]] * [[Unification Thought]] == References == * [[Eric Baum]] (2004). ''What is Thought'', Chapter Two: The Mind is a Computer Program. MIT Press. ISBN 0-262-02548-5 == External links == * {{cite web|url=http://www.americanscientist.org/template/CreateToken?type=PDF&assetid=55246 |title= The Uniqueness of Human Recursive Thinking |accessdate=2007-04-23 |last=Corballis |first=Michael C. |format=PDF |work=American Scientist (May-June 2007) }} * [http://cnx.org/content/m14358/latest/ The Psychology of Emotions, Feelings and Thoughts, Free Online Book] * [http://education.vsnl.com/nimbkar/thought.html Nature of Human Thought] [[Category:Thought| ]] [[Category:Units of information (cognitive processes)]] [[Category:Neuropsychological assessment]] [[ar:فكر]] [[ca:Pensament]] [[de:Denken]] [[et:Mõtlemine]] [[es:Pensamiento (mente)]] [[eo:Pensado]] [[fa:فكر]] [[fr:Pensée]] [[gl:Pensamento]] [[ia:Pensamento]] [[id:Pikiran]] [[it:Pensiero]] [[is:Hugsun]] [[he:חשיבה]] [[la:Cogitatio]] [[lv:Domāšana]] [[lt:Mintis]] [[hu:Szellem]] [[mk:Мисла]] [[nl:Denken]] [[no:Tenke]] [[ja:思考]] [[ko:생각]] [[pl:Myślenie]] [[pt:Pensamento]] [[ru:Мышление (психология)]] [[sq:Mendimi]] [[simple:Thought]] [[sr:Мишљење]] [[fi:Ajattelu]] [[sv:Tänkande]] [[tr:Düşünce]] [[uk:Думка]] [[yi:טראכטן]] [[zh:思维]]