Introduction to thinking

Thought or thinking is a mental process which allows beings to model the world, and so to deal with it effectively according to their goals, plans, ends and desires. Concepts in our language, which are akin to thought are cognition, sentience, consciousness, idea, and imagination. As of yet, the English language has not coined more specific words for the exact experiences and endeavors people do in their minds on a daily basis.

Thinking involves manipulation of information, as when we form concepts, engage in problem solving, reason and make decisions. 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 mind reflect a process of pattern matching. In a Moment of Reflection, new situations and new experiences are judged against recalled ones and judgements 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 concepts, 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). The imagination performs a different function. It combines the reasoning intellect with your feelings, intuitions and emotions, especially Hope. This is magical or irrational thinking, depending on your point of view. Thinking can be modeled by a field (like a mathematical representation of an electro-magnetic field, but with each point in the field a point of consciousness). Patterns are formed and judgements are made within the field. Some philosophers (panpsychists/panexperientialists - see wikibook on consciousness) believe the entire field is conscious in and of itself, a consciousness field. They say consciousness creates thinking, thinking and other brain processes do not create consciousness. Other scientists (for ex. Bernard Baars) think of it as a workspace. No scientist claims to understand how we are conscious. Other philosophers (ex. Thomas Nagel) have said they do not have a clue as to how we are aware of our thinking.

Aids/pitfalls to thinking

 * 1) Use of models, symbols, diagrams and pictures
 * 2) Use of abstraction to simplify the effort of thinking
 * 3) Use of metasyntactic variables to simplify the effort of naming
 * 4) Use of iteration and recursion to converge on a concept
 * 5) Limitation of attention to aid concentration and focus on a concept. Use of peace and quiet to aid concentration.
 * 6) Goal setting and goal revision. Simply letting the concept percolate in the subconscious, and waiting for the concept to re-surface.
 * 7) Talking with like-minded people. Resorting to communication with others, if this is allowed.
 * 8) Working backward from the goal.
 * 9) Fashion of thinking.
 * 10) Desire for learning.

Reference

 * Eric Baum, What is Thought MIT Press 2004 ISBN 0-262-02548-5 - Chapter Two: The Mind is a Computer Program

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