Rational thinking: features and tips for development
Rational thinkers are considered the slowest and most thoughtful. And that's why. When a person makes a decision in a hurry, without hesitation, he is considered a superficial person. Often such people subsequently very regret their actions, but it is too late to change something. Maybe they should reflect on their behavior and start using rational problem solving? In the article we will figure out how to do this.
What it is?
Man differs from other terrestrial creatures in such a feature as reason. Homo sapiens can think, think, make plans, reason. It means, that he has thinking, it may differ from person to person.
Some individuals have a more rational type of thinking. This type of brain activity makes it possible to keep a person from hasty actions, namely: from a state of passion. This is its difference from irrational thinking, in which there is affect - this is a state when the individual does not control his actions and emotions. Therefore, with the onset of such a mood, he can make many irreparable mistakes.
Different people react differently to force majeure. Some turn on rationalism, while others lose control over their emotions. In the latter case, irrational thinking is included in the thought process. This condition is characterized by emotional outbursts. They lead to impaired thinking. The result is a difficult adaptation to the environment.
Anyone can have irrational thinking. If this person has a nervous breakdown, then he may well succumb to an explosion of emotions.
But most of all, children and people who believe in otherworldly forces suffer from these manifestations.
However, individuals with a stable psyche are more prone to rational thinking. They try to rely in their actions only on logic and facts. Such abilities are possessed by specialists working in banks in various fields of economics and analytics. They are characterized by the presence of logic in conclusions, clear reasoning, identifying consistency, analyzing, carefully considering the facts and thinking about all subsequent actions.
It can be concluded that in this case, everything obeys logic, namely: a cause-and-effect relationship is used.
This means that the way people think about the problem, in the same way people build their actions. In other words, if your thoughts are ordered, then your manipulations will be similar. In the case of brain chaos, you will act the same way.
If you are seized by irrational fear or anger, then such emotions will definitely generate negative consequences. Let's give an example. The student has learned the lesson perfectly, but he is very afraid of the teacher. After going to the blackboard, the child may forget the learned material due to irrational fear. This is how irrational thinking affects the life and actions of a person.
It must be concluded that successful people almost always think rationally. Therefore, they succeed. This means that only those who have achieved success can be able to think rationally. This ability makes it possible to easily move up the career ladder, make good money. Start observing, analyzing the environment - and you will succeed too.
In addition, a rational approach to life gives the ability not to repeat the mistakes of past years, to understand the world around us, and also to understand all the processes that take place in it.
Structure
A science like formal logic studies rational thinking. Over time, a person acquires basic skills, and they, thanks to experience, tune his mind to logical ways to solve a problem.
So, let's consider the points that are included in the scheme of intellectual and logical activity.
- The initial element is a concept. There is a definition (a reflection of an object that is based on a concept). It relies only on important features of an object and phenomenon. For example, the word "leg". It means the following: part of the body of a person or other creature. This part is responsible for movement and is divided into segments. So, in the word "leg" we see the essence, that is, the basis for further analysis.
- The common element is judgments. This term refers to a statement or sentence. The judgment can be positive or it can be negative. All objects and phenomena fit this concept. For example, snow falls in winter, or - a person cannot breathe under water. It should be noted that there are value judgments - sweet plum. Such a concept as judgment is used as an auxiliary element, something that has been known for a long time.
- The way to gain knowledge from what was previously known is inference (considered an abstract option). Here judgment is the starting point. For example, all eggplants are purple. All purple objects are hard to see in the dark. This means that eggplants, that is, certain objects, are endowed with certain properties. This conclusion is obtained if we proceed from the averaged conclusions.
Rational thinking is based on laws that cannot be changed. This is where rational thinking differs from irrational. Therefore, the basic concepts of the first type must be learned and applied in practice.
Forms
We can say that this category includes a number of specific components in the form of schemes, conditions, rules. These concepts are manipulated by all people when they try to acquire new knowledge.And also such a thought process takes place in the human brain when thinking about long-known information. As a result, it turns out that one component is in strong contact with the other. At the same time, each component is divided into separate parts. That is why a person's thinking is not a separate function, but is a way of orientation in the environment.
Let's consider all the points in more detail.
Analysis
This type includes such properties of the human brain as decomposition of whole information into its constituent parts. Separate features, properties and qualities are distinguished from these parts.
It works as follows: for example, let's name the main features of such an object as an apple. An apple can be red, tasty, round, growing on a tree, and so on. The more examples you can name, the better.
One more example. If you know how to separate various objects (triangles, blue, squares, parallelepipeds, yellow and others) according to signs, then you are all right with the aforementioned concept.
To learn to analyze, you need to read a lot and think about events from literary works.
Synthesis
Such a concept unites all parts into one whole, relying on semantic connections between objects and phenomena. For example, when all the studies that were carried out with a living organism, or when working with a certain task, have taken place, it is necessary to highlight the most significant of them. This process is called synthesis.
To define this concept for yourself, try to draw the missing shape for those shapes that are combined in color, shape and size.
For example, draw the same size green apple, green circle. Attach to them any object that will meet the given parameters. For example, add lime green.
Next, try to link the concepts in meaning. For example, a puddle and a rainbow. It is clear that the puddles appear after the rain. After the rain, there is strong evaporation. When the rays of the sun hit the invisible droplets from evaporation from puddles, a rainbow is obtained.
Analogy
This is the transfer of knowledge from one subject (phenomenon) to another subject (phenomenon). This knowledge was obtained after a thorough study of a subject or phenomenon. For example, we usually transfer our knowledge from one subject to another. Frankly, this does not always work out, but if it does, then new facts are revealed.... For example, if a frying pan that is not on the stove is cold, then other items are also cold. This is how analogy manifests itself in judgments. Simpler examples of analogy look like this: face - mirror, ball - circle, speech - tongue.
Comparison
The comparison method makes it possible to compare an object or judgments with other objects - and draw a conclusion. In other words, there are similarities and differences between objects, and then an analysis is made.
To make sure you can compare, try taking multiple items and looking for similarities between them. They can be similar figures or similar people.
Deduction
When there is a movement from the general to the particular, this is deduction. For example, winter comes at the beginning of every year. This is based on common sense. For example, the roads are slippery in winter.
Induction
This part of the reasoning begins with observations, trends or specific examples of any events. This process is dynamic and can evolve. Therefore it is called the bottom-up process. Everything here is based on specifics. Then this concrete develops into an abstract one. The result is a theoretical level of knowledge.
How to develop?
Before you can learn to think rationally, you need to develop a type of thinking called rational. To do this, you need to read a lot.... Books and the information they contain, in one way or another, help human consciousness to develop.
Know that rationalism is the wisdom of life itself... To understand this issue, you need to learn to learn from the experience of other, more advanced people.
First of all, begin to study the various sayings of wise people. They contain a lot of information that can motivate you to succeed.
Know that when reading novels, you will involuntarily begin to understand what the author wanted to convey to you in this or that work. Plus, connecting with smart people will give you an extra chance to learn new experiences. Therefore, listen to wise teachers who can enrich your knowledge base.
The above methods are general guidelines, and more specific tips will be presented later.
- During a conversation, certain communication parameters must be observed. They will enable you to develop your thinking. For example, if you started a conversation with a statement, then continue to support this conversation with words that will support your statement. Remember that consistency is part of the logic. Therefore, if you rely on this fact, you can easily defend your point of view and impose an easily pushed thought on your interlocutor. Of course, this should only be done when you are unconditionally confident that you are right.
- If we continue the above point, then we must say: any rightness requires proof. Without this clause, all your versions will be scattered to smithereens. Therefore, before arguing and proving anything to another person, first ask yourself such questions that can either confirm your point of view or refute. When you are fully convinced that you are right, start making arguments to defend yourself that you are right. And the more there are, the better for you. Also, remember that your arguments must be backed up by strong evidence.
- In this vein it is necessary to act even when you begin to refute the opinion of your interlocutor.
- Besides, thinking rationally means turning off absolutely all emotions... If you want to be successful, then act in cold blood.
- Argue and prove your point... Remember that in an argument, truth is born. In addition, a verbal duel is a good option for training rational thinking.
- Only with a complete positive is it possible to think in a rational way. Keep in mind that bad thoughts lead your thought process to degradation. When stressed, you need to try to discard your negative thoughts with the help of reasoning that will be rational.
Errors
They often harm, because a person may simply not know about them.
If you want to learn rationality, then you should identify mistakes, work on them and correct them in time.
Now let's look at the most basic ones.
- There is no need to exaggerate when it comes to any event. This approach leads to panic, and panic and logic are incompatible things.
- You don't have to think that everyone owes you. For example, if you are thinking about something, then the other person should not guess or read your mind. Just tell him about all your desires and claims. A rational person will never bring the situation to a conflict, as he always speaks about his problem in plain text. The more you reason, the closer the truth.
- Do not blame yourself or other people for all the troubles. You need to calmly sit down and reflect on the negative situation that has arisen. As a result of internal reflection, you will come to a certain conclusion. This is how logic develops.
- Don't take criticism unconditionally. Remember, people aren't always right. And if you are in doubt, then start reasoning. Perhaps they just want to denigrate you. Remember that rational thinking is thinking that involves the process of making sense of the situation. When reflection occurs, then you can draw the right conclusions.
- Don't strive for excellence... This will waste too much energy in this process. Any person who thinks logically understands that perfect people simply do not exist.
- Without making an effort, you will not achieve anything.