| |
Abstract thinking is thinking that extends beyond concrete realities. The following are illustrative examples.ConceptsAll concepts that don't have a physical form are abstract. For example, thinking about freedom and respect is abstract thinking because these are ideas don't exist as a physical thing.
TheoriesDeveloping theories to explain observations. For example, a farmer who develops a theory that artichokes aren't growing well in a particular field because the soil is too acidic. This may be based on concrete data but the theory itself is conjecture and can therefore be considered abstract.OrganizationOrganizing things into abstract categories. For example, the cultural convention of organizing days into weekdays and weekends. These are both abstract concepts that can't be tied back to anything physical.
Divergent ThinkingDivergent thinking is the process of using the imagination to create novel solutions to problems such as a farmer who identifies a companion planting that allows artichokes to thrive in acidic soil.Developing an analogy that simplifies a complex problem. For example, Galileo's Ship is a thought experiment that says that if you drop a cannon ball from the mast of a moving ship, it should fall directly below where it was dropped and that this location is not influenced by the speed or direction of the ship. This was developed by Galileo Galilei in 1632 to counter the prevailing argument at the time that if the Earth where really rotating an object dropped from a high location would not fall directly beneath where it was dropped because the Earth would have moved. It is now known that the Earth does rotate and that the principle of relativity validates the predictions of the Galileo's Ship thought experiment.
EmotionsEmotions are mental states that color all thinking. The ability to think about the emotional impact of things is a type of abstract thinking. For example, a public speaker who is able to craft and deliver a message that builds feelings of trust, anticipation, joy and astonishment in an audience. StorytellingStorytelling is the art of making information interesting. This typically wraps concrete information in elements such as literary devices, rhetorical devices, suspense, humor and culture that are almost always abstractions.
CultureElements of culture such as norms are often social constructs that are completely abstract. It is a mistake to think that because something is abstract that it isn't real. For example, norms can help people to get along as a society and can be both real and valuable.Counterfactual ThinkingCounterfactual thinking is the process of imagining how that past could have been different. For example, if you say something dumb in a social situation you might later imagine more intelligent things you might have said and how this would have lead to different outcomes. Counterfactual thinking can be a waste of time as the past can't be changed. However, it can also provide insights and identify improvements that can be applied to the future.
PredictionDeveloping forecasts, estimates and predictions of the future is an abstraction because the future itself doesn't physically exist yet. For example, a hiker who runs into a wild boar on a trail who predicts what might happen if they quietly and slowly walk backwards away from the animal.SynthesisDesigning things is a process of abstract thinking. For example, a fashion designer who creates a hat from an idea. This is an example of an abstract concept becoming a concrete object.
Being able to understand why things are visually appealing or unappealing. For example, a hair stylist who is able to develop new styles that fit into a time, place and culture as visually appealing.Magical ThinkingAbstract thinking is a powerful form of thought that allows you to create value, solve problems and influence people. However, it can also be used for lazy thought processes, motivated thinking and to form biases that paint an inaccurate picture of the world. For example, magical thinking is the process of assigning magical powers to an abstract concept such as a technology that are unrealistic. In some cases, individuals spend too much time thinking about abstractions that are far detached from the practical realities of a situation such that they miss opportunities to make a quick decisions that would benefit them. For example, a student who spends endless hours thinking about their fear of public speaking as opposed to taking practical steps towards gaining speaking experiences that begin to defeat this fear.NotesIt is very common for human thought to be based on abstractions. For example, a natural language such as English or French is filled with abstract concepts such that anyone who uses a rich vocabulary is applying abstract thinking.|
Type | | Definition | Thinking that extends beyond concrete realities. | Related Concepts | |
Thinking
This is the complete list of articles we have written about thinking.
If you enjoyed this page, please consider bookmarking Simplicable.
An overview of thinking with examples.
The definition of introspection with examples.
An overview of critical thinking with examples.
The definition of skepticism with examples.
The definition of imagination with examples.
The definition of visual thinking with examples.
The definition of abstract concept with examples.
The definition of realism with examples.
The definition of pragmatism with examples.
Rational thought is often somewhat logical but includes factors such as emotion, imagination, culture, language and social conventions.
The definition of benefit of doubt with examples.
The definition of intrapersonal with examples.
The definition of paradox with examples.
An overview of logical arguments with examples.
The definition of rational choice theory with examples.
The definition of reflective thinking with examples.
The definition of reason with examples.
TrendingThe most popular articles on Simplicable in the past day.
Recent posts or updates on Simplicable.
Site Map
© 2010-2023 Simplicable. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of materials found on this site, in any form, without explicit permission is prohibited.
View credits & copyrights or citation information for this page.
|