Thought

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.

Aids/pitfalls to thinking

• Use of models, symbols, diagrams and pictures
• Use of abstraction to simplify the effort of thinking
• Use of metasyntactic variables 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.
• Fashion of thinking.
• Desire for learning.