- Types:
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free association
a thought process in which ideas (words or images) suggest other ideas in a sequence
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construction, mental synthesis
the creation of a construct; the process of combining ideas into a congruous object of thought
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abstract thought, logical thinking, reasoning
thinking that is coherent and logical
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line of thought
a particular way of thinking that is characteristic of some individual or group
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thread, train of thought
the connections that link the various parts of an event or argument together
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mysticism
obscure or irrational thought
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ideation
the process of forming and relating ideas
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consideration
the process of giving careful thought to something
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excogitation
thinking something out with care in order to achieve complete understanding of it
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explanation
thought that makes something comprehensible
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planning, preparation, provision
the cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening
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problem solving
the thought processes involved in solving a problem
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convergent thinking
thinking that brings together information focussed on solving a problem (especially solving problems that have a single correct solution)
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divergent thinking, out-of-the-box thinking
thinking that moves away in diverging directions so as to involve a variety of aspects and which sometimes lead to novel ideas and solutions; associated with creativity
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interpretation, interpreting, rendering, rendition
an explanation of something that is not immediately obvious
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crystallization
a mental synthesis that becomes fixed or concrete by a process resembling crystal formation
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gestation
the conception and development of an idea or plan
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analysis, analytic thinking
the abstract separation of a whole into its constituent parts in order to study the parts and their relations
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argument, argumentation, line, line of reasoning, logical argument
a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning
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conjecture
reasoning that involves the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence
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deduction, deductive reasoning, synthesis
reasoning from the general to the particular (or from cause to effect)
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illation, inference
the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation
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anticipation, prediction, prevision
the act of predicting (as by reasoning about the future)
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ratiocination
logical and methodical reasoning
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reasoning backward, regress
the reasoning involved when you assume the conclusion is true and reason backward to the evidence
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synthesis, synthetic thinking
the combination of ideas into a complex whole
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advisement, deliberation, weighing
careful consideration
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exploration
a systematic consideration
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contemplation, musing, reflection, reflexion, rumination, thoughtfulness
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
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principle, rationale
(law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)
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key
something crucial for explaining
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rationalisation, rationalization
the cognitive process of making something seem consistent with or based on reason
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agreement, arrangement
the thing arranged or agreed to
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applecart
the planning that is disrupted when someone `upsets the applecart'
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malice aforethought, mens rea
(law) criminal intent; the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal); often at issue in murder trials
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calculation, deliberation
planning something carefully and intentionally
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forethought, premeditation
planning or plotting in advance of acting
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enquiry, inquiry, research
a search for knowledge
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calculation, computation, figuring, reckoning
problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
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theory
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena