S2 Ep. 153 Our thoughts and our thinking

."Thoughts" and "thinking" are fundamental aspects of human cognition and consciousness. These terms are often used interchangeably but can have distinct meanings in specific contexts.

Thoughts:

Thoughts refer to the mental processes or products of the mind that involve the activation and manipulation of information. These can take various forms, including ideas, beliefs, memories, images, etc. Thoughts are the building blocks of cognition and are integral to how humans make sense of the world, solve problems, and make decisions.

Thinking:

Thinking is the broader cognitive process encompassing various mental activities in forming thoughts. It includes reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, and creative imagination. Thinking is not limited to conscious processes; much of it occurs subconsciously.

Key Points:

1. Multifaceted Nature: Thinking involves diverse cognitive processes, from logical reasoning to creative imagination. It's a complex and multidimensional activity.
2. Conscious and Subconscious: While we are aware of some of our thoughts and the thinking processes that lead to them, much of our cognitive activity occurs subconsciously. This includes automatic processes and background mental operations.
3. Influence of Emotions: Emotions play a significant role in shaping thoughts and influencing thinking processes. Emotional states can impact how we perceive information, make decisions, and solve problems.
4. Language and Symbolic Representation: Thoughts are often expressed and communicated through language. The ability to use language and symbolic representation distinguishes human thinking from other forms of cognition.
5. Metacognition: Humans have the capacity for metacognition, which is thinking about one's thinking processes. This ability allows individuals to reflect on and regulate their cognitive activities.
6. Neurological Basis: Thoughts and thinking have a neurological basis, with various brain regions involved in different aspects of cognitive processing. Advances in neuroscience have provided insights into the neural mechanisms underlying thought processes.
7. Cultural and Social Influences: Cultural and social factors also shape thoughts and thinking patterns. The context in which individuals live can impact their cognitive processes and the content of their thoughts.

Understanding thoughts and thinking is crucial for psychology, cognitive science, philosophy, and neuroscience. It involves exploring the intricate connections between the mind, brain, and external environment. Additionally, the study of thoughts and thinking contributes to our understanding of human behavior, decision-making, and the nature of consciousness.

I share some thoughts from my interactions and relationships for this show episode. The power of thoughts undeniably cannot be relegated to the background. If we must achieve success in whatever we focus on, embracing thoughts is vital, and taking it from that thought level into the thinking level.