Premium Essay

Nature of Thought

In:

Submitted By ashofrin
Words 767
Pages 4
Nature of Thought
Shofrin Ali
April 5, 2015 University of Phoenix

Abstract “You may believe that you are responsible for what you do, but not for what you think. The truth is that you are responsible for what you think, because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice. What you do comes from what you think. ”
― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"

Nature of Thought What is thinking? Thinking is a mental behavior whereas ideas, pictures, cognitive symbolizations, or other hypothetical components of thought are experienced or manipulated. In this sense, thinking is inclusive of imagining, recalling, solving problems, and a variety of other procedures. (Psychology Dictionary, 2015) An example would be to picture a checkers player mentally trying out several moves before actually touching a checkers piece.
What makes human thinking unique?
Our intelligence and the ability to “think” makes us humans unique. Yes, animals can also think but they cannot verbalize their thoughts in a complex commutative language. Our thoughts give us ambition and curiosity that leads the human race to expand our culture, art, music, sports, and politics. When we think, we feel, and that makes us human. We can fight and die for the things that we believe in (freedom to pursue happiness, for example). How and why do humans express their thoughts? We use images, concepts, and languages to communicate our thoughts. We can build concepts logically in minds and make arguments. Whether we realize it or not, we tend to visualize whatever it is that we hear. We also use information from memory to solve problems or perform tasks. For example, how to bake a cake? We can recall ourselves doing the task, therefore we can recreate it. Enhance your memory. Our memory is something that we should always try to

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Nature of Thought

...‘ Nature of Thougt PHL/251 August 8, 2013 Instructor Nature of Thought Thought plays a significant role in our day to day lives. From the time we wake up, to the time we go to sleep, we are thinking. Thinking, sensing, memory, perceptions, personal barriers, and thoughts are key influences to the nature of thought process. In this paper, I will describe my nature of thoughts and how it impacts my views of the thoughts process. Thinking is the practice of using one’s awareness to contemplate or reason about something. In order to think, one must use their senses. The sensing process allows us to use our senses to process our thoughts. There are five senses that everyone has, and they are sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. Memory is another vital feature of thinking. Memory is the processes that one uses to gain, collect, recollect and eventually recover information. The medium of thinking it the final part of thinking. The medium is considered the most dynamic part of thinking. It medium is transmitted into the brain. Language is a part of the thinking medium. If a person is without language, they will be incapable of expressing or interpreting information to recall or to think. When I was 19 years old, I joined the United States Army. I was so nervous when it was time to leave my loved ones and go to basic training. I had heard so many horror stories about basic training. Even though I was nervous, I knew that God would give me the strength to make it through...

Words: 785 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Nature of Thought

...Nature of thought Pedro A Prieto PHL/251 Oct 27 2014 Philip Grochmal Nature of Thought Every human is unique. We all have our own thoughts and opinions and we are able to express ourselves in many different ways, as we are also able to learn from each other. No two humans think alike, it could be because of social backgrounds, cultural differences or it could be the way we see things. We as humans express ourselves in many different ways. We can express ourselves by talking, writing a letter, music and art. I think that we express our thoughts because we have something to say as individuals and we want our ideas to be heard, also we have the need to be recognized. “To base thought only on speech is to try nailing whispers to the wall” (Rosenthal, 1994). I try to enhance my memory by reading and remembering things from the past to keep everything fresh on my mind. Lately I have been trying some memory games like luminosity and brain academy, I found that my memory has improved in certain areas. Last year I thought my daughter was going to graduate in December but the reality was that she was not going to graduate on time, my perception was that I thought that her studies were on track. The reality was that she did not tell me that she failed one of her classes and she had to retake it in order to graduate. There was a difference between my perception and reality because I was misinformed. I felt empowered by my language because I was able to communicate...

Words: 512 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Nature of Thought

...Nature of Thought I have always been fascinated by Socrates’ bold quote “The unexamined life is not worth living” (Kirby, 2007, para. 1). He is very powerful with his chosen verbiage in this quote. He does not diminish his statement by saying that the unexamined life is less meaningful than it could be; he clearly states that the unexamined life is not even worth living. Socrates was a big believer in personal and spiritual growth. In fact, he believed that was the sole purpose of human life. Humans must make the time to examine and reflect on life in order to broaden the understanding of it. I will explain the nature of thought by describing what exactly thinking is, identifying a situation in my life where I had an altered perception and the types of perpetual blocks that influence my views. Thinking Thinking is the ability for a person to put in perspective his or her thought processes (Smith, 2003). Processes that allow a person to develop views on situations based on his or her beliefs and past experiences (Smith, 2003). Thinking uses the data that one previously learned to process the results and put it into action. Humans are the only creatures that can do this, we can think before we react. There is a strong need to express thoughts because it is human nature to want to explore and to learn. The mind is like any other muscle in the body and must be stimulated on a regular basis in order to reach and maintain full potential (Kirby, 2007). The eBook, Thinking: An Interdisciplinary...

Words: 731 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Nature of Thought

...Nature of Thought David Dawson PHL/251 26 May 2014 Abeba Salter-Woods Nature of Thought I think a lot about what it means to be in thought and how an outcome of an individual’s action is exemplified on how they took the time to actually think about what they are doing. In life, as humans, we are challenge through many different scenarios that requires us to put time and effort into thinking things through. That thinking process is the foundation of the aftermath of these scenarios. To me, human thinking is unique because we are one of a kind. I don’t believe that there is another species out there that is capable of producing results that we, as humans, are able to come up with. Other mammals might have brains that allow them to think, but not to the capacity or liking to what I believe is necessary to survive on this planet. According to “Www.ask.com” (2014), “Human thinking is unique because as far as we know, we are the only living creatures who can think and put our thoughts into action. We are the only ones who think before we act. We express our thoughts because it is human nature to want to explore and to learn.” Humans express their thought through their actions. To make are thoughts more realistic, we feel that we have to witness or perform it first hand. A thought will always remain a thought if not utilize. Most of the things that humans think about is normally fantasies and actions that need to or want to be performed, hence the reason on why we act on certain...

Words: 853 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Nature of Thought

...The Nature of Thought Human Sensing Name Surname Course Professor’s Name Date The Nature of Thought: Human Sensing Learning is a natural task for all human beings. We start learning from the first day of born. How to take a step, walk, run, play, talk, brush our teeth, eat food or how to use toilet paper and many more. There are some processes, which are learned from observations. The learning gained from exposures to stimulus learning. A person has to pass through a learning method, and there are eight types of learning methods; such as Extroverted Sensing, Introverted Sensing, Extroverted Intuiting and Introverted Sensing. When we think for a moment, we might see familiar objects in your environment feeling the touch of objects, smelling the aroma of foods or fruit, hearing the sound of music, and recognizing who is signing it, or the songs name is actually our memory. Like, when we close our eyes and if we smell a lemon cake, the smelling of the fresh lemons comes to our sense. All of these things help us recognize the objects and to interfere by the surrounding objects and people around us also. There are three process of memory: encoding, storage and retrieval. Encoding is processing information into memory. We automatically store encode information without being aware of it. Storage is where the information is stored and kept. One day my mom was baking something in the oven, and she wanted me to guest what it was from the smell. I thought it was a cake...

Words: 384 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

The Nature of Thought

...The nature of thought is a fascinating topic for conversation; however, in order to understand it one must also know the different facets of thinking. The three major aspects to explore when discussing thinking are the sensing process, memory, and medium. There are also certain perceptual blocks, thoughts, and personal barriers that may hinder a person’s thought process. The first part of thinking to explore is the sensing process, this is very important to the process of thinking. Without our senses that stimulate the brain, you would be unable to think. Hearing, smelling, touching, tasting, seeing different things in our environment which are stored in the brain all help us to think and to have thoughts about different situations. The next component of thinking that is a must is the memory. Memories help to define the past and the information that has been stored in the brain is crucial when the brain is in the process of thought. It helps to process different situations and understand thoughts that have occurred in the past and help to form our future. The last piece of thinking and maybe the most important is the medium in which all of the other parts transfer into the brain. Language is the thinking medium, without language we would not be able to articulate or interpret information to remember or to think. Language structures perceptions and is the catalyst of thought. Recently there was a situation at my job where my perception was very different from the truth. I work...

Words: 323 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Nature of Thought

...Nature of Thought From the time, we are born until the time we die thought plays a role in our lives. As we wake up in the morning, the brain is already starting to think about the day and what activities we will be doing. When asked what is thought? The first thing that comes out of most people’s mouth is thought is thinking. This is true however; a process must happen before one can think. Parts of this process are thinking, memory, perception, and perceptual blockers. In this paper, we will describe how the thought process works and how perception influences it. Describe Thinking Thinking is the mental and intelligent process that involves a person’s conscious part of the mind. When a person makes a choice to do something such as drive a certain way to work or intervene in a situation he or she is using the thought process. To think one must use his or her senses, perception, and memory. Excitement, fear, sadness, nerves, and happiness are some of the feelings that come from a person’s senses. In a movie, theater sitting outside the door we hear people scream walking in excitement and fear will set in. This is because a person’s memory has these emotions stored in its sensory section. Memory is the ability to remember emotions, thoughts, and perception from experiences that have happened in his or her past. Perception is the way we see and think about things. One’s perception is based on his or her beliefs and religion. Perception may interfere with a person’s memory and...

Words: 957 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Nature of Thought

...The Nature of Thought How does one explain the nature of thought? To do so one must first define what thought is. Many theories have been written to this question and, the simple answer is no one knows. For the purpose of this paper thought is defined as the process in which one uses their mind to consider something carefully. Many factors can affect ones thought process. The way one is raised, emotions, age, race, gender, and personal experience can affect how one thinks. Thinking The Thinking Process The thinking process or thought process is a combination of observing, listening, and reading. After gathering the information that has just happened, with this the thinking process occurs. The brain evaluates what just happened and uses that information to decide what to do next. The sensing process. Sensing and thinking go hand in hand, because the brain uses the senses to evaluate what is going on. According to The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology sensing is “The process of whereby one becomes cognizant of a stimulus which has impinged upon one's sensory organs.” Our senses can also help us pick up on nonverbal communications as well. Although very powerful our senses can be affected by a number of things: our emotions, an illness, or if we are tired. Like it or not our emotions play a huge role in our ability to think. If you grow angry or believe strongly about something, that emotion may get in the way of making the proper decision. One thing may affect the entire...

Words: 873 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Nature of Thought

...Nature of Thought Nature of Thought Thinking is a very complex process of the brain. Many factors contribute to thinking. Thinking can include reasoning, remembering experiences, and making rational decisions. Thinking involves an individual's subjective consciousness. Thinking includes use of cognition, sentience, consciousness, and imagination. Sense can lead to thinking which can lead to thoughts which can allow a person to express their needs, attachments, objectives, plans, commitments, and desires. Humans think it includes many steps. “I observe and I plan and I think and I strategize” (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007). The sensing process is the ability to sense something based on one or all of your 5 senses. “There is nothing in the mind unless it is first in the senses” (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007). Our most important senses for thinking is seeing and hearing. Based on our reading our senses do not operate effectively when we are sick, drowsy, or tired. Senses are the reason we have thoughts. Memory is the processes by which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved and subsequently recall information and past experiences. Memory gives us the capability to learn and adapt from previous experiences as well as to build relationships. It is the ability to remember past experiences, and the process of recalling previously learned facts, experiences, impressions, skills and habits. It is the store of things learned and retained from our activity or experience...

Words: 962 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Nature of Thought

...Humans have a very unique way of thinking because we are able to imagine, feel emotion, think logical, and use our interest within our though process. Human thinking is unlike any other because humans can support the thought process with culture, interest, habits and so much more. Humans express their thoughts to show emotions and curiosity. Expressing ones thoughts is highly important; its how we show others how we feel. Most of the time we don’t even know that we are expressing ourselves we just do, its come to use as apart of our nature. Expressing ourselves does not have to be done with speech it can be done with writing, facial expression and just body language. For example you can often tell someone is upset by them having a red face, when sad they may have there head down, when interested in a topic they will be excited and enthused with good posture. Memory plays a huge role in how we think; in fact thinking and memory are paired. If a person has no memory or even a poor memory it makes it very difficult for that person to think effectively. There are a few ways to strengthen our memories. A mnemonic technique is a technique that seems to be very popular; this technique uses rhyming to help memorize something. If you think back to when you were a child I am sure one of your teacher taught you the days of the week or the months of a year to rhyming technique. Another technique is designing mnemonic, which is method location. This is where you take what you already...

Words: 678 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Nature of Thought Paper

...Nature of Thought PHL/251 January 30, 2015 James Lorthridge Nature of Thought William Blake said “Tell me what is a thought and of what substance is it made?” (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007). Human thinking is unique because neurologists have discovered areas of the mind, except thought. The Nobel laureate author Gerald Edelman at the beginning of this millennium said, “What goes on in your head when you have a thought . . . the answer must still be: we do not really know” (2000, p. 201) (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007). In other words, there are sill regions to be revealed about the brain. The thought process remains a mystery with a model yet to be found. Expressing Thoughts The only way humans can express their thought is through communication. Thinking can be viewed as communicating. “One way to reach a definition is by observing the results of thinking as expressed in human communication” (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007). Therefore, we can define thinking as the activity of the brain that can potentially be communicated, and expressed in speaking and writing. However, there are multiple outlets of communications, for instance: * Language  * Images  * Art  * Scientific formulas * Mathematics Even though most of these communication forms are effective in their own way, the primary human communication is language. Speaking, writing, and reading is the human form of communicating with one another. Memory An important part of the human thought...

Words: 852 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Nature of Thought Paper

...Nature of Thought Paper Sennet Perkins PHL/251 October 4, 2010 Leigh Clemons Is thinking a necessity in dealing with or handling issues on a daily basis? Every day we are faced with situations that will requires us to think on different levels. Thinking is a very imperative method of how an individual’s thoughts when being read by someone else can generate a comprehensible concept.   In this paper, I will explain some of the perceptual blocks that have some bearing on my views and how I reply to it.      The sensing process is a very significant part to the process of thinking.   It would be very hard for an individual to think without using this process.   Being able to hear, smell, touch, taste and see different things in our surroundings allows us to have multiple thoughts about what is actually going on around us and how to come up with a conclusion for the issue at hand.   Memory is another significant factor of the thinking process. Memory assist individuals decipher information that has been stored in the short and long term memory. It also assists with processing information in multiple situations and recognizes concepts that has taken place in the past and build our future.   The final part of thinking, the medium, is considered the most vital and is the part that transfers into the brain. Language is part of the thinking medium. Without language an individual will be unable to verbalize and/or translate information to recall or to think.   Language configures...

Words: 740 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Phl251 Nature of Thought

...Your thoughts become your words, become your actions, become your habits, become your character become you. (Kirby,G.R.& Goodpaster, J. R., 2007) Scholars have debated and studied for many years trying to figure out how humans think. Even scientist in this modern day continue to research exactly how or what makes the human brain work. The complexity of the thought process is a uniquely individual gift that each human possesses. “No two people think alike”, a phrase commonly used to support the differences in human thinking. Nevertheless, the why not’s cannot be explained but are the never-ending source of debate and investigating in the scientific world. Many factors are involved in the process of thinking. Physiological thinking is defined by the physical nature of the brain, one’s intelligence level, sensory input, and is greatly influenced by inhibition of drugs, sleep patterns, poor nutrition. Moreover, the nature of a human’s psychological well being can define the effect of the mental state and emotional state of the individual. Additionally, the memory, as well as the brain is impacted by the chemical nature of the brain. Individuals suffering from low serotonin usually suffer some depressive episodes; indeed, this will ultimately impair how the individual interprets reality and facts. Thinking is defined as the activity of the brain that can potentially be communicated. A human communicates thoughts through language. There is power in expressing language in a metaphorical...

Words: 1087 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Phl251 Nature of Thought Paper

...Thinking is defined as using thought or rational judgment. The process of using one’s mind to consider or reason about something. Thinking is activity of mind. It is mindful work of your own perception and understanding. The critical thinking process starts out with knowledge. All thinking starts with knowledge, whether a little bit or a good understanding of thinking topic. If you can not comprehend what you are thinking about, you cannot think about it effectively. Most of our thinking’s sensory interactive. Thinking can shape the way we sense. Sending for adults is concurrent with thinking. As we sit in class, drive, cook, or even clean; we are sensing with our eyes, ears, and hands. The two most important senses for thinking are seeing and hearing. Our senses play an important role for our brain. Our senses feed our brain as food. A person’s power to remember things is memory. According to Dictionary.com (2012), “Memory is the mental capacity of faculty of retaining and reviving facts, events, impressions, etc. or of recalling or recognizing previous experiences.“ Hidden within our brain is our memory. There are two type of memory. We have short-term memory which we seem to forget entirely and last only about twenty to thirty seconds without rehearsal. Then, we have long-term memory which are the most important for our thinking and last the longest. Without memory there could be no thinking based upon experience. What we think depends both on our ability to remember...

Words: 942 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Human Nature

...In the following essay I will examine the arguments for and against the idea that there is such a thing as a fixed and essential human nature. This is a debate which goes back to antiquity, to the time of Socrates and to his idea that a person must endeavor to know oneself. Thus founding the first philosophy, which was the study of man and of human nature. Firstly I will examine the argument for a fixed human nature in the form of the theory of argument from design and also determinism. Then I will proceed to examine the argument against a fixed human nature, in the theory of existentialism. Lastly I intend to show the evidence, as to why I conclude that there is no such thing as a fixed human nature, and that the theory of existentialism is the plausible argument. I will examine now, the idea that all humans have a fixed human nature. Plato and Aristotle were the first to concur on metaphysics as the first point of study. They differed to each other in so far as Plato had a dualistic approach and believed in a world outside of the changeable physical world, that we exist in. He thought this world, was just a world of appearances' another world known as the world of ideals or forms. Plato thought the only way we come to know the world of forms was through the intellect. Aristotle however was concerned only with the material world and what he could learn about through his senses. He rejected Plato's idea of an immaterial reality and was concerned only with this world as the...

Words: 2330 - Pages: 10