WHAT ARE THE 8 ELEMENTS OF THOUGHT? - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The elements of thought refer to a pattern of thought that helps to understand how the different parts of thought can be divided. These elements can be divided into purposes, information, inference and conclusion, concepts, assumptions, implications and consequences, points of view and questions.

Understanding the elements of thought allows humans to disseminate, in a logical way, their thinking and the thinking of others. When we think about something in particular, we usually do several things at the same time. We look at it from a point of view, referring to who we are or what we value.

Then we think with a purpose: why am I thinking about this? Later we have the question in question that we are trying to answer.

When we think, we are evaluating all the information of what we are thinking. We look at the interpretations and inferences we arrive at about the thing in question. We are also trying to figure out the concepts we need to know to understand it.

We base our thinking on assumptions that we already assume to be true. And finally we think about the implications and consequences of our reasoning. Each of these elements is used when we think.

The main elements of human thought

Point of view

The point of view is how we see things, how we see ideas, how we see others, and how we see the world. It represents the most basic beliefs, values, and biases of each individual.

When we are talking about the elements of thought, it is generally better to start from the point of view. With a point of view we can observe the points of reference, perspectives, and orientations.

First we need a frame of reference. A frame of reference forces us to look at a part of our world, and our understanding of it.

It tends to limit what we know and understand since we all see the same things, but we do it differently.

Then we look at the perspective: what is our bias on this particular thought? What is the other person's inclination towards this thing? How do you look at life from this particular perspective?

Generally, the point of view is consistent and does not change easily. This element is a reflection of who we are as people; what we use to make our assumptions and to make our decisions.

Purpose

It means that we do things for a reason, with a goal in mind. It is an action that we want to perform.

A purpose is always specific. It is difficult to know what has been achieved if the goal is vague. A purpose must be reasonable and realistic, something that can be achieved; an unreasonable one can never be reached.

Purpose helps focus on thinking. It can be said that it is like a laser that keeps thinking focused.

Problem in question

Questions are the way we learn about the world. Some questions are simple facts with answers that can be found.

But other types of questions may take longer to answer as you have to think deeply.

The most complicated questions lead us to discover different ways of thinking about a topic; they might even have multiple answers.

The question should be specific enough to know where it is going. It should also be simple enough to understand even if the answer is complicated: the clearer the question, the easier it will be to answer.

A question should help you understand the problem you are dealing with. It must also be possible to find an answer to the question.

Concepts

Concepts offer us a common language to understand things in the same way. They are the terms we need to know to explore the problem.

Concepts are abstract ideas that help us organize the world. Think about the concepts you need to understand the problem.

Concepts create order, label ideas, and help classify what we know and what we need to know.

information

When we want to make a decision, we need information. The information consists of data that gives us clues about what is happening. It can come from data, observations, facts, experiences, statistics, or from anything concrete or verified.

Thought must be built on information that is strong and logical. The information must be organized so that it makes sense to the particular individual.

It is the basis on which reasoning is built; the best evidence must be collected to have a valid argument.

Inference and interpretation

An inference is a conclusion that is reached by analyzing information. It is inductive reasoning; looking at the facts and making a logical conclusion from them.

An interpretation is an inference from a specific point of view. The conclusion should unify the ideas of the investigation; a solution must be found to the question in question.

At this point you should think about whether you have reached the best solution for the problem or whether there are other possible solutions. It is also necessary to question whether the information was interpreted correctly.

Assumptions

All reasoning begins with a presumption. When we think we must assume that certain things are true without any proof that they really are. We build our thinking with assumptions.

Presumptions can be presuppositions, which we accept without any proof because we believe it to be true.

When we think critically, we can start from assumptions and move toward deductive reasoning, or we can start with what we know and thus move toward assumptions.

Implications and consequences

When we come to a conclusion or solution, we need to think about what might happen next or what would logically follow. If the conclusion is correct, it would be necessary to ask how people would think or act.

The implications are what we think will go through the interpretations and inferences we have arrived at. The consequences have to do with the actions, with what happens if we act on those interpretations or inferences.

It is about what we do because we have come to a logical conclusion. A consequence has an effect on how people act since actions come from ideas.

The implications and consequences must make logical sense; they must follow the reasoning that has been followed in the other elements of thought.

When you have reasoned correctly, you should look for the implications of the implications and the consequences of the consequences.

References

1. The elements of thought - One by One. Recovered from theelementsofthought.org
2. Elements of thought in Richard Paul's Miniature guide to critical thinking. Recovered from public.wsu.edu
3. Implicactions and consequences in The elements of thought - One by One. Recovered from theelementsofthought.org
4. Assumptions in The elements of thought - One by One. Recovered from theelementsofthought.org
5. Interpretation and interference in The elements of thought - One by One. Recovered from theelementsofthought.org
6. Concept in The elements of thought - One by One. Recovered from theelementsofthought.org
7. Information in The elements of thought - One by One. Recovered from theelementsofthought.org
8. Question at hand in The elements of thought - One by One. Recovered from theelementsofthought.org
9. Purpose in The elements of thought - One by One. Recovered from theelementsofthought.org
10. Point of view in The elements of thought - One by One. Recovered from theelementsofthought.org
11. Why the analysis of thinking is important. Recovered from criticalthinking.org