Thoughtcraft 1.2: Modes of Thought
Chapter 1.2: Modes of Thought
There are many ways we might classify thought processes. I make no claim that the scheme I present here is more correct or useful than any other. However, it forms the basis for an analysis of thought processes which has been fruitful in practice.
Thought processes fall into these categories: random, maintenance, psychomotor, explanatory, puzzle-solving, visioning.
Random thought occurs simply because the mind has to do something. Just as the bodies of most animals prefer to spend much time in motion, the mind spends more time on than off, and will function whether or not there is any externally imposed work for it to do. Random thought plays a major role in dreaming and reverie, but is also an important component of other processes.
Maintenance thought is that which occurs in order to keep the mind and body in working order. For example, much of reverie is rehearsal; memories are kept fresh by active recall, and this is the basis of rote learning. More complex mental processes are probably enabled by exercise in a similar manner. That we expend thought on our physical maintenance is even more obvious.
Psychomotor thought is that which directs the conscious movements of the body. Fluid action of the body happens when the consciousness of thought is as little conscious as possible, yet all non-autonomic processes of the body are conscious at some point and in some way. Psychomotor thought will play very little role in this essay; when these modes of thought are analyzed in various contexts in this essay, the psychomotor will usually be omitted.
Explanatory thought is directed at understanding. Just as a dictionary defines words using other words, most (perhaps all) new concepts must be learned by reference to already understood concepts. Explanatory thought makes these associations and relationships.
Puzzle solving is the search for an answer to any question, where there is believed to be some criterion for correctness in the answer. Note that only the belief matters; all the thinking applied to Fermat’s last theorem would have been the same puzzle-solving process even if the theorem had been unproveable.
Visioning is the conceiving of new ideas or conditions. It is by definition original thought. Note, though, that it is original in the context of the thinker. That the resulting idea may have been developed by another elsewhere makes no difference to the definition of the thought process.
There are not always clear and precise boundaries separating these modes of thought. Several of these modes may be performed in concert, all guided by a single motive, and it can be difficult to untangle and define what processes are occurring. However, it can also be helpful to do so, clarifying what our minds are doing, and permitting us to judge what processes are actually likely to move us toward our goal.