Thinking

Cognitive or mental manipulation of ideas, symbols, concepts, memories, beliefs, intentions, propositions, words, images, and so on, including reasoning, logic, judgement, inference, problem-solving, decision-making, forming mental models, contemplating knowledge, beliefs, opinions, etc., and refers to symbolic processes rather than behaviours evoked, these processes being not directly observable, with the assumption that there are involved some – in principle – identifiable “elements of thought”.

With reference to judgement and decision-making, thinking can be seen as a method of finding and choosing amongst potentialities and possible actions, beliefs, and goals.

(see also: (conceptual) models, critical thinking, openminded scepticism, problem of adequacy, logic, clarity of thinking)

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