In his essay, “On Various Kinds of Thinking” (1921), James Harvey Robinson addresses various patterns of thinking, the benefits of promoting knowledge acquisition, and how our culture interferes with this thought. Robinson considered that using history may help people understand themselves and the communities in which they live.
On Various Kinds of Thinking | Summary
Robinson defines thinking, including its most enjoyable variation, the reverie or spontaneous association of thoughts. He goes into great detail about both observation and rationalization. The stream of consciousness is a topic that Robinson addresses in the section on the reverie of the mind. At the time of Robinson’s writing, Sigmund Freud and other academic psychologists had begun to question the validity of the stream of consciousness. He criticizes philosophers once more for ignoring this line of reasoning, saying:
“This is what makes [old philosophers’] speculations so unreal and often worthless.”
He contrasts daydreaming with practical considerations like choosing between riding the bus or the tube, writing a letter or not, and making all the other small decisions that arise throughout the day. Decisions, he claims, ‘are a more difficult and arduous thing than the reverie, and we detest having to make up our mind’ when we are sleepy or engrossed in a pleasing daydream. It should be highlighted that weighing options does not always increase our knowledge, but we can, of course, do so before making a decision.
Robinson examines many modes of thought and their value for improving human cognition and development. He explores the many approaches people take to issues and situations, emphasizing the value of a variety of thought processes in improving society and knowledge. He further lists several distinctive ways of thinking. He talks about analytical or logical thinking, which depends on reason, facts, and methodical investigation to draw inferences. This way of thinking is frequently linked to problem-solving and scientific research.
Robinson emphasizes the usefulness of different cognitive processes while also emphasizing the shortcomings of analytical thinking. He emphasizes the need for imaginative thinking, which calls for imagination, creativity, and the capacity to think beyond the lines. Creative expression, original solutions to challenging issues, and the production of fresh ideas are all made possible through imaginative thinking. Robinson also talks about practical thinking, sometimes known as practical intelligence, which is based on real-world knowledge and experience. This way of thinking, which is frequently related to craftsmanship and skilled trades, emphasizes the application of knowledge and abilities to actual situations. He also discusses historical thinking, which is the process of looking at the past to understand the present and the future. Understanding the historical background allows people to view things from a wider angle and make more informed decisions.
The essay criticizes philosophers’ conventional method of comprehending the mind by pointing out the shortcomings of their theories and their disconnection from genuine human experiences. Robinson contends that poets and storytellers, who are acute observers of human emotions and feelings, have made more significant findings about intelligence. To better understand human behavior and our connections with others, Robinson emphasizes the significance of understanding these unconscious influences and embracing cutting-edge ideas of the mind. The essay contends that to direct and improve human life, a more thorough grasp of the mind and intelligence is required. Robinson’s analysis shows the significance of taking diverse facets of human thought into account and provides a critique of conventional philosophical approaches to understanding the mind. He makes a distinction between daydreaming, making decisions, and rationalizing. Reverie is an example of unrestrained, irrational thought that frequently centers on oneself and is driven by desires, anxieties, and emotions. While rationalizing is the process of defending and justifying our thoughts and attitudes, decision-making requires practical thinking and the act of choosing.
In this investigation, the essay questions the idea that thinking is only a conscious and rational process. Robinson emphasizes how our beliefs and decisions are shaped by unconscious influences, individual biases, and emotional ties. This is consistent with our expanding knowledge of the complexity of the mind and the interaction between conscious and unconscious processes. Robinson also criticizes the propensity to cling to beliefs without question. He contends that rather than using actual reasoning, people frequently look for justifications for their preexisting beliefs. This finding raises concerns about the limitations of human reasoning and other biases that can obstruct impartial comprehension.
On Various Kinds of Thinking | Analysis
The language of the essay displays Robinson’s talent for conveying difficult concepts in a comprehensible way. He makes good use of simple language and examples to support his arguments. Insightful yet entertaining, Robinson’s writing style enables readers to follow his arguments and consider their mental processes. His intellectual curiosity and readiness to disagree with conventional wisdom are also highlighted in this passage. He challenges readers to reflect more thoroughly on their thinking and to take into account the factors that have influenced their views and perspectives. This is consistent with a more general theme of intellectual inquiry and the quest for a more thorough comprehension of the human mind. The essay offers an insightful overview of various ways of thinking, their unconscious influences, and the difficulties involved in questioning and altering our ideas. It exemplifies Robinson’s capacity to hold readers’ attention and provoke thought-provoking queries concerning the fundamental nature of the human mind. It continues to shed light on how people think and how our emotions and personal biases affect our thoughts and attitudes.
The essay’s major points include the significant influence of the possessive pronoun “my” on molding human thought. According to the author, having strong attachments to one’s things, ideas, and beliefs causes one to fiercely defend them, which frequently prevents one from being open-minded and willing to explore other points of view. From monetary goods to religious belief and national identity, this possessiveness can appear in many facets of life. The paragraph also emphasizes how feelings and individual experiences influence intellectual endeavors. The author gives examples of well-known philosophers, academics, and scientists whose beliefs were shaped by their difficulties, qualms, and prejudices.
According to this analysis, even the most brilliant thinkers are susceptible to the same human impulses and weaknesses as everyone else. The interaction between individual prejudices, emotional bonds, and intellectual pursuits is highlighted, which offers a nuanced analysis of the intricacies of human thought. It highlights the difficulties with using objective thinking as well as the chance that our ideas could be influenced by personal motives. Because “reason” can lead to misunderstandings, the author advises using the phrase “creative thought” instead. Creative thought is defined as a way of thinking that enables people to contemplate and observe without being influenced by their concerns, rational considerations, or the defense of preexisting views. It is characterized by curiosity and the need for knowledge, especially about things that don’t immediately affect the person.
The essay highlights the value of idle curiosity, which is sometimes considered useless. However, according to the author, idle curiosity can spur original thought and intellectual inquiry. It may result in a methodical investigation and study and the discovery of fresh viewpoints and information. Galileo’s life is used by the author as an illustration of creative thinking in action. Galileo’s discovery of the oscillations of lamps in a cathedral inspired additional investigation and research, which finally led to the creation of precise pendulum clocks and a revolution in the way science viewed falling objects. The author makes a connection between Galileo’s discoveries and the broader influence of creative thought on challenging preconceived notions and igniting fresh viewpoints.
Overall, this section of the essay highlights creative thinking as a distinctive way of thinking that has the power to transform social structures and human knowledge. It emphasizes the significance of intellectual curiosity, observation, and exploration in fostering intellectual advancement. It also emphasizes the importance of original thought in disciplines other than science, such as music, drama, art, sculpture, and literature. It implies that while there are temperamental differences among people involved in these creative endeavors, the process of producing original works of art has similarities to that of scientific discoveries.
The author places a strong emphasis on the role that creative intelligence has played in advancing humanity and setting humans apart from other species. Education experts consider the advancement and promotion of civilization to be vital themes that call for a rethinking of beliefs about human potential and the rejection of ingrained biases. The author is aware that this procedure might not entirely eradicate hasty concept adoption or zealous adherence to adopted views. They contend that we might ease the seeming pressure to adhere to conventional attitudes and ideals by taking these factors into account and appreciating the importance of original thought. The purpose of education is to instill in students a healthy mistrust of conventional wisdom. According to the author, education should provide people with the skills necessary to engage in critical thought, shed preconceived notions and prejudices, and think creatively. The ultimate goal is to encourage a more knowledgeable and objective perspective on human problems.
Robinson thinks that people should keep seeking information for themselves since he understands the limitations and flaws in conventional wisdom and the value of broadening one’s understanding. He contends that a lot of our beliefs lack critical thought and are the result of our unconscious assimilation of the social environment. Individuals can test and change their beliefs and assumptions by actively seeking information and engaging in independent thinking. The premise that pursuing information and challenging one’s views results in personal progress and a broader understanding of the world can be supported by personal experience. Many people have probably experienced circumstances where their preconceived notions were confirmed. Numerous examples from literature, the arts, and history show the transformational impact of pursuing knowledge and questioning received wisdom. The perils of unquestioning ideas and the value of critical thinking are explored in works like George Orwell’s “1984“. The scientific and intellectual revolutions that have occurred throughout history, from Copernicus’ rejection of geocentrism to Darwin’s theory of evolution, show how the pursuit of knowledge and challenging preconceived notions have improved our comprehension of the universe.
Overall, Robinson argues that education should promote critical thinking, question conventional wisdom, and encourage the independent pursuit of knowledge. Individuals can advance society and have a deeper grasp of the world by doing this.
