Thinking

Abstract

Introduction:  In his discussion of what thinking is in How We Think, John Dewey cites examples of mental activity which have often been associated with thinking.  Stream of consciousness, imagining and believing, deal with thoughts and ideas, but are not representative of reflective thinking for Dewey, since reflective thinking is a process which is initiated by the presence of a particular problem and continues as a "consecutive ordering" of ideas, each building on the last.  Reflective thinking finds itself heading in the direction of a conclusion.  It is not just a random free flow of ideas, but rather a cohesive connection, carefully deliberating and examining to reach a satisfactory end.