What is Thinking: Definition and 397 Discussions

Thought (or thinking) encompasses a flow of ideas and associations that can lead to logical conclusions. Although thinking is an activity of an existential value for humans, there is still no consensus as to how it is adequately defined or understood.
Because thought underlies many human actions and interactions, understanding its physical and metaphysical origins and its effects has been a longstanding goal of many academic disciplines including philosophy, linguistics, psychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, biology, sociology and cognitive science.
Thinking allows humans to make sense of, interpret, represent or model the world they experience, and to make predictions about that world. It is therefore helpful to an organism with needs, objectives, and desires as it makes plans or otherwise attempts to accomplish those goals.

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  1. M

    What strategies can be used to solve complex scientific problems?

    I need help starting and solving this problem. See attachment for problem.
  2. N

    Thinking about switching out of chemE advice wanted please

    I'm about to enter my sophomore year of chemE. I haven't taken any chemical engineering classes yet but am registered for one in the fall. In high school, I found chemistry incredibly interesting, math tolerable, and physics..well I had only read Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking. Now that...
  3. Z

    Thinking about the uncertainty principle.

    We all know that our universe is headed towards a heat death with maximum entropy and useless energy. However, we know that a vacuum of space will always have energy greater than its local minimum (potential well) due to the uncertainty principle. There must always be random fluctuations...
  4. J

    Physics Thinking ahead for physics careers

    I am 15 years old living in the Uk and i plan to leave sixth form in two years time with A* A-Levels in Sociology, Physics, Further Maths, Maths, and Chemistry and AS in biology and General studies. I would then hope to go to Cambridge, Imperial college, or Edinburgh University to study Physics...
  5. R

    Help with math and thinking intuitively about it.

    I'm studying math proofs and I can't seem to grasp the intuition behind various proofs. Does this mean I don't understand the mathematics behind it, even though I understand perfectly the logic? Is mathematics supposed to be intuitive? Edit: I know basic facts of logic is founded on reason...
  6. T

    Teaching Math/Science to Different Thinking People

    My friend is taking linear algebra this semester, and math is definitely not one of her passions. She was nervous about taking it, but ended up doing it because I got an A+ in the course last semester and said I would help her with anything she's having trouble with. Unfortunately I'm having a...
  7. H

    Should I Switch My Major from Electrical Engineering to Physics?

    Hello everybody :) I've already posted in this forum, wondering if one could do a masters in physics or maths with bachelor in EE, and the answer was quite helpful. So thanks for that. Now I am facing a new problem, well not so much a problem, but a tough decision. I've nearly completed my...
  8. H

    Bsc in Electrical Engineering thinking about Msc physics or mathematics

    Hello, this question may have been asked a lot of times, and I'm sorry if it bothers you, but oh well.. I am in my 2nd year of Electrical Engineering undergraduate, got 1 year left. I have always been very interested in physics (particularly astrophysics) and mathematics . Do you think it is...
  9. D

    Vectors Thinking Question: Proving Perpendicularity using the Cosine Law

    Homework Statement a) Write the cosine law using a vector operation. b) If |vector a - vector b| = |vector a + vector b|, prove that a is perpendicular to b using the formula you found in a). The Attempt at a Solution The red period represents the dot product a) magnitude c =...
  10. V

    Thinking of doing MScAE and MSEE in controls

    Hey guys, Right now I'm about to finish my undergrad studies and go on to do my Masters degree. First and foremost I want to do my MSAE in aircraft controls/control systems. After this I am considering doing a second masters degree in EE again in control systems, however, I am doing this to get...
  11. R

    How an individual's hobbies are related to their lateral thinking?

    Hello all, Is there some books (preferably some websites) that deals with: how an individual's hobbies are related to their lateral thinking? thanks
  12. I

    Medical Thinking purely in words, how this works

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  13. I

    Difference of functions thinking problem

    Homework Statement Determine a sine function, f, and a cosine function, f, such that y= √2 sin (π(x-2.25)) can be written in the form of f-g. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution well.. i know that: = sinx - cosx = sinx - (-sin(π/2-x)) = √2 sin(x + π/4) that's as...
  14. R

    I've been thinking about blackbodies, and have become confused with

    I've been thinking about blackbodies, and have become confused with regards to their temperature. Is the temperature constant throughout in a blackbody, or is there a temperature gradient dependant on which side is closest to the source of heat? Would it matter?
  15. 1

    Is the Speed of Sound the Limit of Cause and Effect in a Medium?

    Lately I've been thinking of c as the maximum speed of cause and effect in the universe, and the speed of sound as the maximum speed of cause and effect within/for that specific medium. Is it correct to say that if i had an iron bar as a lever, and i threw on end down, the other end would not...
  16. J

    I'm thinking of entering the field of Theoretical Physics

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  17. I

    Tricking Theoretical Thinking Question

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  18. I

    Mastering Hard Thinking Questions: Solving for a, p, and q with Given Equations

    Homework Statement a) given, a + 5 and 2a-1, one is 40% greater than the other one, solve for a. b) given, 5x^{4} + 4x^{3} + 3x^{2} + Px + Q. When divided by x^{2} - 1, you get a remainder of 0, solve for p and q. c) given csc(6b + \frac{pi}{8}) = sec(2b - \frac{pi}{8}), solve for b...
  19. M

    Speed of Thinking: Adding Large Numbers Instantly

    Since I don't have have a formal math background, I'm always under impression that academically trained mathematicians/physicists/computer scientists have superb arithmetic abilities. For example, they can add large numbers on a fly. Say a physics Ph.D. just got job in a bank. He is a quant...
  20. A

    Thinking of Becoming an Actuary, in last year of high school

    Hello! So I am in Canada, and applications for universities are due in a few months. I love music, and i also love math. I recently stumbled on a career path of Actuarial Science and i think it sounds rather cool. I've heard about all the exams and how everything will pay off in the end...
  21. I

    Autism thinking and quantum physics

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  22. P

    What should you do in the Two-box Monty Hall problem?

    In the thread for my post of "The Boys Puzzle", D H, a PF Mentor, wisely mentions the Monte Hall problem as an example of the type of puzzle that people have difficulty dealing with. That is indeed the case. For example, here is a slight modification of that Monte Hall puzzle that has been...
  23. B

    Canadian Student Asks: Is It Possible to Pursue Engineering and Physics?

    Hello, I am a Canadian student, currently studying Mathematical Physics at the University of Waterloo. I finished my first year and I can safely say that I enjoyed my program. I performed relatively well on my Math courses, getting 80s however, my physics marks were sub-par, scraping 76 in...
  24. N

    Conservation of Energy, thinking question

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  25. C

    Is Pursuing Multiple Ph.D.s a Viable Option for a Career in Theoretical Physics?

    Background info about myself: I am 30 years old. I got BA with double major in physics and math at UC Berkeley in 2001. I got Masters in Physics at University of Minnesota in 2004, and I got ph.d. in Physics, at University of Michigan in 2009. I am now pursuing my post doc in Raman Research...
  26. S

    Question About a Course on Mathematical Thinking

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  27. N

    Programs Thinking about being a physics major

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  28. S

    Physics A Few Questions - Thinking about going into physics

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  29. A

    Engineering Mechanical Engineering & Business Adm: Exploring Career Options

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  30. P

    An Idea I've been Thinking of

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  31. 0

    Schools Senior level college student thinking of switching to Industrial Engineering.

    I'm a 4th year college student who has studied 2 years of sociology, and 2 years of film. With summer studies, I could graduate this fall with an SOC. degree, but have little interest in doing this other than that I would have a B.S. to mark up my resume. I have been thinking long and hard, for...
  32. I

    Thinking about electronic collisions with hydrogen.

    This seems like such a simple question and I feel like an idiot asking it, but here goes: If we have a hydrogen atom (not molecule) at "rest" and we shoot an electron at it with a certain known energy, what could happen? To me, it seems as though there are two distinct outcomes; either the...
  33. S

    Medical How does thinking create action potentials?

    Hello guys, I don't know much about brain and stuff I only know a bit about action potential. My question is I can understand how sensory nerves by a stimulus, but let's say I want to pick a pen. How does brain initiate the action potential for that? This might have been dicussed before but...
  34. rhody

    How Can You Help Elderly Relatives with Computer Use?

    I am posting this because I am sure there are plenty of other folks out there who have elderly parent's or relative's who want to use a PC, and are not all that savvy with them. When they run into problems, getting competent help can be expensive, and time consuming, not to mention...
  35. K

    Thinking about problems without solution?

    There is a parlance from my teacher that we should think for hard problems as much as we can.Don't look for solutions,do problems without solutions and so you can be trained to face real problems. What's your view of this opnion?Should we think for hours to solve a test problem?
  36. 3

    Women and Emotional Thinking: Examining a Common Gender Stereotype

    Yesterday I got into a discussion with a girl from school about how women are generally more emotional thinkers than men. What mean is that they base their decisions more heavily on how they feel 'in their heart' rather than possibly looking at the big picture. It's more of a personal (dare I...
  37. G

    A new kind of thinking needed?

    Up front: I'm a total layperson with no formal scientific training. I'm also a rational human being who doesn't believe in mumbo-jumbo but can allow for there to be plenty of counterintuitive reality that we haven't yet discovered. No Bigfoot or Nessie talk, but, you know, open-minded. So I...
  38. N

    Thinking for Yourself: Tips to Break the Cycle

    I've got a good memory, but I think that may be to my detriment. I accept almost anything at face value without questioning it. Any tips for getting out of this pattern?
  39. C

    Schools Thinking About Graduate School

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  40. Topher925

    Does Thinking Burn as Many Calories as Physical Activity?

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  41. S

    Bored, was thinking cis to trans

    Would it be possible to somehow force a cis oriented unsaturated compound to a trans oriented version? Has this ever been done? I mean without synthesis but rather some sort of immense force applied to the molecule to shift its orientation? Is it even possible...or would the bond be too strong...
  42. V

    Physics 2nd year theoretical physicist thinking about summer placements - where to look?

    It's suddenly started creeping up on me that the degree is almost over, barely having even started, and I was wondering about internships and things. We've just been sent an email by the department about penultimate year internships, which as I'm on a 4 year course I'm not that far yet. Still...
  43. J

    Thinking conceptually about QM

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  44. L

    Studying Is an Applied Math Degree the Key to Improving Your Understanding of Physics?

    I am an Electrical Engineer. I have a MS degree. Soon after graduation, I started working for physicists. At work, I found I was lacking some fundamental concepts. Nobody said I was a bad engineer. Everything I designed worked. But the way physicists think is much different. Much more...
  45. T

    Studying Thinking of studying Astrophysics in Canada - A few questions ^^

    Well I'm in high school right now, grade 11 to be exact and I've started looking around for any interesting universities. I might change but I'm thinking of doing Astrophysics or major in Physics then move onto Astrophysics. I also know that I want to study in Canada so enough background, I just...
  46. F

    Thinking of writing a research paper on Gyroscopes

    Hi everyone Long time since i posted something. (May be i have posted at the wrong place, Doc Al...feel free to move it) I am in my first year... Basically i will have to start writing research papers from the next year... But i am really interested to start from the first year... I...
  47. Q

    Programs Thinking about returning for my degree, I have some questions

    Sorry if this is something of a re-post. Let’s start out with a little background information, shall we? ? I attended an out-of-state university and did piss poor (1.1 gpa with over 60 credits) for two years before being kicked to the curb. During my stay I switched majors about three...
  48. E

    I am thinking about joining the Air Force

    I am thinking about going into the Air Force ROTC program at University of Arizona if I can get accepted. Hints, tips, ideas, opinions, words of praise?
  49. H

    Thinking outside the box a requisite to being motivated

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  50. D

    Thinking bout the Special Theory of Relativity

    I understand that Einstein derived his Special Theory from two assumptions: 1. That classical physics holds in all inertial frames 2. That the speed of light will always be measured to be the same. So, what I was trying to do was to derive the equations starting out from these two...
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