Thinking is preceded by sensations and perceptions with which our knowledge of the environment begins. Thinking expands the boundaries of visible and sensory perception. It also allows one to comprehend the “inner world” of the “external” perception through inferences.
The general characteristic of thinking reveals its meaning. Thinking appears before us the most generalized and indirect form of mental reflection, which concretizes the connections and relationships of cognitive objects. It evolves with society, its existing concepts and principles.
Types of thinking
Mental operations of different types and levels fill human thinking. First of all, they differ in various cognitive meaning. For example, the mental operations with which the problems a scientist and a small child are solved are completely different. Therefore, different levels of thought are distinguished. Separation depends on the possible level of generalization of sensations, the depth of the transition of thought from the phenomenon to the essence. These levels of thinking are visual thinking in its elementary manifestations, as well as abstract and theoretical.
These types of thinking are carried out on the basis of the “processing” of perceived images into representational images, which are then changed, transformed, generalized, due to which a figurative-conceptual reflection of the real world arises.
Visual-figurative thinking transforms the visual conditions of mental actions, translating their perceptual content into meanings.
Man's creative reflection of reality is figurative thinking. The result is an imaginary image that does not exist in a given period of time. By thinking one can also understand the creative transformation of remembered ideas or objects.
The main types of thinking are undoubtedly theoretical and practical. Theoretical is divided into conceptual and figurative, and practical - visual-figurative and visual-effective.
Theoretical conceptual thinking implies the search for solutions in the mind using ready-made knowledge, which is expressed in concepts, conclusions and judgments. This type of mental activity does not require an appeal to a practical knowledge of reality; it does not independently receive empirical facts.
In theoretical imaginative thinking, a person uses representations and images, not facts, concepts, or judgments. Images are taken from memory or formed by the perception of reality. This kind of thinking is most inherent in creative people, for example, writers, artists, sculptors.
Both types of thought processes are mutually complemented and closely related. Theoretical conceptual thinking gives rise to a more abstract and concrete reflection of reality, and figurative - concrete subjective real perception.
Visual-figurative thinking is distinguished by the direct and obligatory connection of the thought process and human perception of reality. This type of mental activity is most characteristic of preschool children and various kinds of leaders, as well as people who carry out practical work.
A feature of visual-effective thinking is its process. It is a practical transformative activity that a person carries out. It characterizes mainly the broad masses of production units and workshops.
B.M. Teplov believes that types of thinking differ in their connection with practice.
Thinking and language in philosophy
The connection between language and thinking gives rise to many contradictions. Initially, it was believed that it was impossible to think without knowledge of the language, words, that is, the language was perceived only as a “clothing” of thought. For the same reason, language was identified with thinking. But many scientists think differently, citing the work of composers or artists as an example . For them, words are unimportant, only ideas, images, which subsequently take on real shape, dominate. For example, Miller believes that a person initially forms a certain plan of his statements or reasoning, possibly even on an unconscious level. And a little later, this plan is reflected verbally.
Most likely, the truth is in the middle. Language is closely related to thinking. This cannot be taken away.