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Abstract thought is a form of thought based on abstract concepts, through
thinking with symbol information processing. Only with the emergence of
language is abstract thought possible: language and thought boost each other and
promote each other. Thus, physical symbol system can be viewed as the basis of
abstract thought.
Little research has been done on inspirational thought. Some researchers hold
that inspirational thought is the extension of imagery thought to
sub-consciousness, during which a person does not realize that part of his brain is
processing information. While some others argue that inspirational thought is
sudden enlightenment. Despite all these disagreements, inspirational thought is
very important to creative thinking, and need further research.
Abstract
Thought
Abstract Processing Unit
Imagery Processing
Unit 1
Imagery Processing
Unit 2
Imagery Processing
Unit n
Imagery
Thought
Perceptual
Processing Unit 1
Perceptual
Processing Unit 2
Perceptual
Processing Unit n
Perceptual
Thought
External Signals
Fig. 1.1. Hierarchical model of thought
In the process of human thinking, attention plays an important role. Attention
sets certain orientation and concentration for noetic activities to ensure that one
can promptly respond to the changes of the objective realities and be better
accustomed to the environment. Attention limits the number of parallel thinking.
Thus for most conscious activities, the brain works serially, with an exception of
parallel looking and listening.
Based on the above analysis, we propose a hierarchical model of human
thought, as shown in Fig. 1.1 (Shi, 1990a; Shi 1992; Shi 1994). In the figure,
perceptual thought is the simplest form of thought, which is constructed from the
