What is Thoughts: Definition and 362 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. R

    Preserving Milk with Household Items: A Scientific Approach

    Cheers guys We were given a science project to preserve the following using only household items for 5 dats...Chemicals may not be used as well as any external power source like an outlet: Bread Milk and a mystery item which would be presented to us on the day. One of our teammates...
  2. K

    Interesting Thoughts on Objects & Speed of Light

    I was thinking, and somehow I had this little "thought experiment" type thing relating to objects and the speed of light. (This is just my thoughts, I don't know if it's correct or the validity of my assumptions, etc) Imagine you're in a (large) room, and that the effects of friction, air...
  3. tridianprime

    Increase in STEM schools - reasons and thoughts

    I have been learning a lot about STEM focused schools (sixth form and high school) recently because I have got an offer from a Mathematics specific school myself, in London. I noticed that there are very few in the UK at all. I know that it is a very small country in comparison to the USA but I...
  4. Q

    Thoughts on Excerpt from My Chem Prof's Textbook?

    What are your thoughts on this excerpt from my chem prof's textbook? I have a few problems with the beginning of the text and a huge problem with the bolded statement. I understand the intentions of my teacher - structure - is highly important in chemistry. Not so much emphasized in general...
  5. Infinite/Zero

    Where we can express our own thoughts?

    Is there any forum exist where we can express our own thoughts ?:confused: I will be Thankful to you.o:)
  6. C

    Suggestions and thoughts on my magnets and magnetism demonstration

    I hope that the title is a bit better than my last one... I would appreciate any input on items I have made or will be demonstrating as it should be about 30 minutes long and a balanced programme. Background... I am in training as an Assistant Beaver Leader in my Sons Beaver cubs scout pack...
  7. Evo

    Is it time for Random Thoughts - Part 4?

    In order to help with server load, we are splitting up the larger threads. This is a continuation of Random Thoughts Part 2 thread located here https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=687099&page=186
  8. D

    Schools Having second thoughts about graduate school.

    I'm currently half-way through my third year as a physics major, and I'm starting to reconsider my initial plans of attending graduate school. It's not so much my grades are bad (cGPA ~ 3.5, 3.8 so far in my third year and am will likely maintain this until I finish), but I'm just not at all...
  9. sophiecentaur

    Digital Oscilloscope Purchase Thoughts

    I am totally fed up with not having had the use of an oscilloscope for many years. It has been very frustrating on so many occasions. I need one. So, my options are (and I only want to spend minimal cash, of course): An ancient eBay analogue scope for something around £100, a PC based one or a...
  10. A

    What are your thoughts on ipv6?

    The only reason we require DHCP is because we don't have enough IP addresses to give everyone a static IP address, right? Does that mean that we will soon lose the ability to be anonymous on the Internet? Does that mean that everything we do will be definitively tracked to our IP address? I...
  11. M

    Standardized Tests and Foreign Language Thoughts

    Colleges look at SAT scores. There's really no way around that. But overall, how important are they in comparison to other criteria on college applications? If one only got around an 1800 on the SAT, but had hundreds of hours of volunteering in their future career field, and had a 4.0 GPA, did...
  12. F

    Dark matter build up near Black holes, thoughts?

    Dark matter build up near or inside Black holes, thoughts ? I can see it making a real mess of the motions and energies of normal matter in and around a black hole or other very dense body that confines dark matter to a small adjacent region. Unslowed by frictional forces...think angry...
  13. T

    Your thoughts on taking 3 math classes and Econometrics?

    So I in a couple more months I will be completing my Gen. ed. requirements(which I'm so happy about!), but now I am wondering if I should fill all my available time slots with all science and math courses. This coming semester I will be taking Intro to Probability Theory, Numerical Analysis, and...
  14. S

    Is the mind a collection of thoughts ?

    What is the mind considered to be in physics ? Is it just a collection of thoughts ? And has there ever been any studies done on the mind and matter manipulation ? Appreciate all replies. Physics is Phun
  15. S

    Programs What are your thoughts about majoring in physics?

    I know little about what actually comprises a physics program, but I wanted to know what people had to say about this major. I would like to know general things like the difficultly relative to an engineering major, what kind of careers you can get into with it (I hear its rather broad) Is it a...
  16. A

    Storing Thoughts & Ideas: A Writer's Challenge

    I have many ideas and thoughts that I want to store. Many are insights about some particular topic. Ideally I would want to write a book but that's too far-fetched (is this how writers get motivated to write books?) I don't want to write in a notebook or something. I think it's temporary and...
  17. M

    Thoughts about a career change

    Hi all I'm feeling a bit lost here, but hopefully someone might be able to lend some insight. I am an accountant. I've been working at a small firm for about 4 years, and in that time, I have also gained my CA (Professional qualification). But I got bored, and decided to take a year out to...
  18. C

    Clinton Morrison's Personal Website and Games - Thoughts and Feedback

    Hey everyone! I spent a lot of this summer developing a personal website for myself. It hosts some computer games I’ve developed as well as some other programming projects I have done as well as blog articles. The website is: www.clintonmorrison.com You can play the games I created at...
  19. S

    News What are Your Thoughts on the Rise of China?

    When we think about first world nations and world leaders in politics, ethics, economics, and science, we think of Western nations that are built on democracy, human rights, and freedom. But now we are facing a new situation where the prospective new world leader will spread its influence while...
  20. T

    Is Taking Nootropics Morally Equivalent to Steroid Use in Sports?

    I had a guy recently ask me how he can become more disciplined. After I gave him some advice, I checked his history and he posted a lot to "Nootropics." A quick wiki search says it is used to treat "disorders as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and ADHD."...
  21. Ryan_m_b

    The Anti-Consumer Direction of Xbox One: Thoughts from Gamers

    I'm not a gamer anymore (my xbox broke two years ago and I never replaced it) so I'm a bit out of touch. However I've read a bit about the new xbox one and I have to say I'm distinctly unimpressed by the direction modern consoles are going in. Any thoughts from gamers or otherwise? For me the...
  22. Greg Bernhardt

    Star Trek: Into Darkness trailer and thoughts

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAEkuVgt6Aw I saw this trailer on ultra screen in 3d and I was captivated. No doubt a very well made trailer, but still I'm pretty stoked for the movie! Even if it just reaches the success of the first, it's been a nice series reboot.
  23. Evo

    Can PF Random Thoughts be Split to Help with Server Load?

    In order to help with server load, we are splitting up the larger threads. This is a continuation of the original Random Thoughts thread located here https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=338126
  24. Y

    RE: regenrative Wheel hubs need thoughts

    Hello, I am working on a regenerative wheel hub design for an EV. This is not a regenerative braking system, nor is it a violation of the conservation of energy idea. The idea encompasses using the rotating mass of a wheel to provide a trickle return charge to the battery pack as a wheel is...
  25. G

    Has quantum physics proven that thoughts become reality?

    Has quantum physics "proven" that thoughts become reality? This is not a homework assignment. When I go to the homework section, none of the links fit because this is a quantum physics question and it’s neither undergraduate or high school related. If this is not the appropriate forum, please...
  26. S

    Thoughts on a non-linear second order problem

    h''(t)=-\frac{1}{h(t)^2}, h(0) = h_0, h'(0)=v_0 The first step is to, I think, reduce this to a fist-order problem: h'(t)h''(t)=-h'(t)\frac{1}{h(t)^2} --- Multiply both sides by h'(t) h'(t)^2=\frac{1}{h(t)}+c_1 --- Integrate both sides 1/h'(t) = \sqrt{\frac{h(t)}{c_1 h(t)+1}} ---...
  27. E

    Thoughts and questions about the CMBR.

    Recently it occurred to me that my mental image of the CMB radiation, gleaned from a range of popular science books, was probably completely wrong. I set about some thinking. The following notes outline my thoughts so far, and I would appreciate the comments of others more knowledgeable than I...
  28. F

    Going to read Finnegans Wake: any thoughts?

    All right, so I've started my Joyce phase with Ulysses, but as I like to read a few books at once, I was thinking of picking up Finnegans Wake as well. It is both famous and infamous for its difficulty, so I'm going to borrow Joseph Campbell's A Skeleton Key To Finnegans Wake from the library...
  29. N

    The future of Radio Astronomy (your thoughts)

    "The future of Radio Astronomy" (your thoughts) Hello all, I'm doing an extended project on "the future of radio astronomy". And I would like to know people's opinions on the "future of radio astronomy" and what advancements the field of radio astronomy is expected to make in the future...
  30. B

    Thoughts on this Inverse Bijection Proof

    Is this sufficient?
  31. R

    What Are the Current Insights on Various Fusion Technologies Like Sonofusion?

    Sonofusion, Cold Fusion, Crossfire, IEC, MC, you name it. I'm a young scholar interested in the various kinds of fusion and where they stand in terms of validity, possibility, practicality, etc. I'm mostly curious on what people think of the kinds of fusion out there and what science has...
  32. D

    Engineering Second thoughts on physics PhD-Engineering masters/PhD or job?

    Second thoughts on physics PhD--Engineering masters/PhD or job? Hi all, I recently started a funded MSc-->PhD graduate program in physics at a mid-top tier 2 university, and I'm having concerns regarding my future career prospects. My initial plan was to finish the PhD, but now I'm considering...
  33. A

    Time Dilation & Length Contraction, Further Thoughts

    This is a very common topic especially regarding the apparent slowing down of time, the twins paradox etc. I have come across the figures for a muon and the relativistic effects that allow it to reach the Earth's surface despite its very short life. The relevant transforms show length...
  34. A

    An Introduction to Thermal Physics by Schroder - any thoughts

    Hi! I'll be covering the above book next semester and was wondering if there is anything I should be particularly aware of about thermal physics. -aLearner
  35. S

    Engineering Having second thoughts about majoring in Computer Engineering

    Hi, I am currently a freshman in college and my major is Computer Engineering. However I am having second thoughts about this major and wanted to ask you guys for some advice. I like working with computers and technology and was wondering if any other majors related to this. I have looked into...
  36. W

    Admissions Sudden Second Thoughts on Applying for Math PhD

    Today I received my mgre subject test scores and had a complete panic attack. I knew they weren't going to be phenomenal, but they were definitely worse than expected. I have a severe problem taking standardized tests, and I knew this long before I took the exam. I know I am more capable than...
  37. H

    Some thoughts on the hidden variables interpertation

    Hi, another thread talking sbout QM interpertations sparked my interest on the subject. Now let's assume that we have electrons in a box, it could be anywhere inside. And let us assume that the electrons do indeed have unique positions instead, that each electron has a set of three continuos...
  38. wolfspirit

    Thoughts balloon rocket launch

    I have been thinking, weather balloons can go quite high (some up to 1000ft) so would it be possible to take 4 or 5 weather balloons and attach them to the corners of a frame. in the centre of the frame would be a rocket ready to launch at a set altitude. the only problem i can think of is...
  39. O

    Engineering What are your thoughts on what it takes to be an Engineer?

    I am 18 years old and really wanting to become a engineer, But I feel I may not have the mathematical aptitude for it. In your experiences can anyone become a good engineer, as long as they put in the time required? I believe that I am creative, hard working and quite enthusiastic...
  40. X

    Professor is a nice guy, but he is not teaching well. Thoughts?

    I am currently enrolled in an introductory Systems & Signals Processing course. The problem is, this has thus far turned into a series of lectures on the nuances of the Fourier Transform, i.e. special cases and difficult problems. Why am I complaining? Well, in his syllabus, he lists a...
  41. P

    Thoughts on Henle's Topology book?

    Hi all! I'd like to ask for some opinions on a book. I'm currently taking an undergraduate course in topology. We're using the book A Combinatorial Introduction to Topology, by Michael Henle, and so far I have mixed feelings about it, feelings that my class and professor seem to share. 1...
  42. M

    Exploring a Career Path: Thoughts on Becoming an Actuary | Insights and Advice

    Hello everyone, Little back story, so when I began college as a freshman I thought I wanted to become a doctor. My sister already being in med school it seemed like a challenging and rewarding career which could ultimately make me a lot of money. However speaking with my physics teacher...
  43. V

    What are your Thoughts on the Philosophy of Mathematics?

    How do you think of numbers when you're doing math? I particularly feel like sometimes we get to close to acting like computers. We just scan through a list of symbols and compute another list of symbols that makes sense in a certain context. We hardly ever think of things concretely and how...
  44. M

    Schools Applying to Graduate school, Thoughts?

    Hello All, I am a senior computer engineering student at a small university in West Virginia. I am in the process of applying to graduate school for a masters in computer science next fall. I have picked my target schools and contacted each department. I am looking at: Carnegie Mellon...
  45. S

    Thoughts on the Drake Equation

    Personally I think the equation greatly overestimates the number of possible intelligent life in the universe... But then again all I have is a college level education. Can anyone explain?
  46. M

    Your thoughts on this article about psychology.

    http://www.arachnoid.com/psychology/index.html I was just wondering what people here thought about this article.
  47. W

    Mandl Quantum Mechanics, thoughts?

    I just finished undergraduate E&M, the class was using the Young and Freedman University Physics, but I decided to go with the Grant and Phillips Electromagnetism and it worked pretty well. At UIUC Physics III or modern physics is broken into two parts, thermal and quantum. For the quantum...
  48. K

    Medical Paralyzed woman uses thoughts to move robotic arm

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/16/us-paralysis-robotics-idUSBRE84F1CM20120516 This is a remarkable achievement by the scientists. Now, we don't need limbs any more? :P I wonder how did the scientists find out where to connect each electrodes? How did they know which portion sends...
  49. wukunlin

    Some thoughts hoping to clear up

    Hi Everyone, I'm doing the final year of my bachelors and I'm going to have to make some important decisions. There are things I have observed but I'm not sure whether they are true in general. At the moment I am majoring in optoelectronics (laser physics + electrical engineering). I enjoy...
  50. C

    Engineering Thoughts on a second degree in Electronic Engineering

    Hi all, I am in the process of wrapping up my degree in Applied Physics with emphasis in electronics. The program has required me to take several courses from the electronic engineering department, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I have done some planning, and it will take me one extra year...
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