#thinking__thought__cerebration__intellection__mentation  the process of thinking (especially thinking carefully); "thinking always made him frown"; "she paused for thought"
  supertype:  higher_cognitive_process  cognitive processes that presuppose the availability of knowledge and put it to use
  equal:  think (pm)
  subtype:  free_association  a thought process in which ideas (words or images) suggest other ideas in a sequence
  subtype:  mental_synthesis__construction  the creation of a construct; the process of combining ideas into a congruous object of thought
  subtype:  reasoning__logical_thinking__logicalthinking__abstract_thought  thinking that is coherent and logical
     subtype:  analytic_thinking__analysis  the abstract separation of a whole into its constituent parts for study
        subtype:  partitioning__breakdown  an analysis into mutually exclusive categories
           subtype:  resolving__resolution  analysis into clear-cut components
              subtype:  factorization__factorisation__factoring  (mathematics) the resolution of an integer or polynomial into factors such that when multiplied together they give the integer or polynomial
              subtype:  diagonalization__diagonalisation  (matrix algebra) changing a square matrix to diagonal form (with all non-zero elements on the principal diagonal); "the diagonalization of a normal matrix by a unitary transformation"
        subtype:  cost-benefit_analysis  an analysis of the cost effectiveness of different alternatives in order to see whether the benefits outweigh the costs
        subtype:  dissection.analytic_thinking  a minute and critical analysis
        subtype:  reasoning_by_elimination__elimination  analysis of a problem into alternative possibilities followed by the systematic elimination of unacceptable alternatives
        subtype:  reductionism  the analysis of complex things into simpler constituents
        subtype:  systems_analysis  analysis of all aspects of a project along with ways to collect information about the operation of its parts
     subtype:  argumentation__logical_argument__logicalargument__line_of_reasoning__line  methodical reasoning; "I can't follow your line of reasoning"
        subtype:  line_of_inquiry__line_of_questioning__lineofquestioning  an ordering of questions so as to develop a particular argument
        subtype:  casuistry.argumentation  argumentation that is specious or excessively subtle and intended to be misleading
        subtype:  policy  a line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government; "they debated the policy or impolicy of the proposed legislation"
           subtype:  plank  an endorsed policy in the platform of a political party
           subtype:  economic_policy  a government policy for maintaining economic growth and tax revenues
              subtype:  fiscal_policy  a government policy for dealing with the budget (especially with taxation and borrowing)
              subtype:  New_Deal  the economic policy of F. D. Roosevelt
              subtype:  control.economic_policy  the economic policy of controlling or limiting or curbing prices or wages etc.; "they wanted to repeal all the legislation that imposed economic controls"
                 subtype:  price_control__pricecontrol  restriction on maximum prices that is established and maintained by the government (as during periods of war or inflation)
                 subtype:  ceiling.control__cap  an upper limit on what is allowed: "they established a cap for prices"
                 subtype:  floor.control__base  a lower limit: "the government established a wage floor"
                    subtype:  price_floor  floor below which prices are not allowed to fall; "the government used price supports to maintain the price floor"
                    subtype:  wage_floor  floor below which wages are not allowed to fall
              subtype:  perestroika  an economic policy adopted in the former Soviet Union; intended to increase automation and labor efficiency but it led eventually to the end of central planning in the Russian economy
              subtype:  protectionism  the policy of imposing duties or quotas on imports in order to protect home industries from overseas competition
                 subtype:  trade_barrier__tradebarrier__import_barrier  any regulation or policy that restricts international trade
                    subtype:  quota.trade_barrier  a limitation on imports; "the quota for Japanese imports was negotiated"
                    subtype:  trade_embargo__tradeembargo__embargo__trade_stoppage__tradestoppage  a government order imposing a trade barrier
           subtype:  social_policy  a policy of for dealing with social issues
              subtype:  apartheid  the former official policy of racial segregation in South Africa
              subtype:  glasnost  a policy of the Soviet government allowing freer discussion of social problems
              subtype:  social_action  a policy of socioeconomic reform
                 subtype:  affirmative_action__affirmativeaction  a policy designed to redress past discrimination against women and minority groups through measures to improve their economic and educational opportunities; "affirmative action has been extremely controversial and was challenged in 1978 in the Bakke decision"
              subtype:  nativism.social_policy  the policy of perpetuating native cultures (in opposition to acculturation)
           subtype:  party_line.policy__partyline  the policy of a political group; "He won in a vote along party lines"
           subtype:  foreign_policy__foreignpolicy  a policy governing international relations
              subtype:  brinkmanship  the policy of pushing a dangerous situation to the brink of disaster (to the limits of safety)
              subtype:  imperialism.foreign_policy  a policy of extending your rule over foreign countries
                 subtype:  manifest_destiny  a policy of imperialism rationalized as inevitable (as if granted by God)
              subtype:  intervention.foreign_policy__interference  a policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries
              subtype:  nonintervention__noninterference  a foreign policy of staying out of other countries' disputes
              subtype:  nonaggression  a policy of not initiating hostilities; "they signed a nonaggression pact"
              subtype:  isolationism  a policy of nonparticipation in international economic and political relations
              subtype:  Monroe_doctrine  an American foreign policy opposing interference in the Western hemisphere from outside powers
              subtype:  Truman_doctrine  President Truman's policy of providing economic and military aid to any country threatened by communism or totalitarian ideology
              subtype:  neutralism  a policy of neutrality or nonalignment in international affairs
              subtype:  trade_policy__tradepolicy__nationaltradingpolicy  a government's policy controlling foreign trade
                 subtype:  open-door_policy__open_door  the policy of granting equal trade opportunities to all countries
           subtype:  Zionism  a policy for establishing and developing a national homeland for Jews in Palestine
     subtype:  conjecture  reasoning that involves the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence
        subtype:  theorization__theorisation  the production or use of theories
           subtype:  ideology  imaginary or visionary theorization
           subtype:  generalisation__abstraction  the process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances
        subtype:  supposition  the cognitive process of supposing
           subtype:  presupposition  the act of presupposing; a supposition made prior to having knowledge (as for the purpose of argument)
     subtype:  deductive_reasoning__deductivereasoning__deduction__synthesis__synthesi  reasoning from the general to the particular (or from cause to effect)
        subtype:  syllogism  deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
     subtype:  inference__illation  the reasoning involved in making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation
        subtype:  analogy.inference  an inference that if things agree in some respects they probably agree in others
        subtype:  corollary  (logic) an inference that follows directly from the proof of another proposition
        subtype:  derivation.inference  a line of reasoning that shows how a conclusion follows logically from accepted propositions
        subtype:  entailment__deduction__implication  something that is inferred (deduced or entailed or implied); "his resignation had political implications"
        subtype:  presumption.inference  (law) an inference of the truth of a fact from other facts proved or admitted or judicially noticed
     subtype:  prediction__anticipation__prevision  the act of predicting (as by reasoning about the future)
        subtype:  projection.prediction  a prediction made by extrapolating from past observations
        subtype:  prognostication__vaticination  knowledge of the future (usually said to be obtained from a divine source)
           subtype:  crystal_gazing__crystalgazing  staring into a crystal ball to arouse visions of future or distant events
           subtype:  prevision  a prophetic vision (as in a dream)
           subtype:  divination__foretelling__fortune_telling__fortunetelling  prophecy (or the pretense of prophecy) by supernatural means
              subtype:  dowse__dowsing__rhabdomancy  searching for underground water or minerals by using a dowsing rod
              subtype:  geomancy  divination by means of signs connected with the earth (as points taken at random or the arrangement of particles thrown down at random or from the configuration of a region and its relation to another)
              subtype:  hydromancy  divination by water (as by patterns seen in the ebb and flow of the tides)
              subtype:  lithomancy  divination by means of stones or stone talismans
              subtype:  necromancy  conjuring up the dead, especially for prophesying
              subtype:  onomancy  divination by the letters of a name
              subtype:  palmistry__palmreading__chirology  telling fortunes by lines on the palm of the hand
              subtype:  pyromancy  divination by fire or flames
        subtype:  prefiguration__foreshadowing__adumbration  providing vague advance indications
     subtype:  ratiocination  logical and methodical reasoning
     subtype:  reasoning_backward__reasoningbackward__regress__regres  the reasoning involved when you assume the conclusion is true and reason backward to the evidence
     subtype:  synthesis__synthesi__synthetic_thinking__syntheticthinking  the combination of ideas into a complex whole
  subtype:  line_of_thought  a particular way of thinking that is characteristic of some individual or group
  subtype:  train_of_thought__thread  the connections that link the various parts of an event or argument together; "I couldn't follow his train of thought"; "he lost the thread of his argument"
  subtype:  cogitation__study  attentive scrutiny and thought; "after much cogitation he rejected the offer"
     subtype:  lucubration  laborious cogitation
  subtype:  mysticism  obscure or irrational thought
  subtype:  ideation  the process of forming and relating ideas
  subtype:  consideration  the process of giving careful thought to something
     subtype:  weighing__deliberation__advisement  careful consideration; "a little deliberation would have deterred them"
        subtype:  think  (informal) an instance of deliberate thinking: "I need to give it a good think"
     subtype:  exploration.consideration  a systematic consideration; "he called for a careful exploration of the consequences"
     subtype:  meditation__contemplation__reflection__reflexion__rumination__musing__thoughtfulness  a calm lengthy intent consideration
        subtype:  introspection__self-contemplation__self-examination  the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct
           subtype:  soul-searching__self-analysis  a penetrating examination of your own beliefs and motives
           subtype:  examen.introspection__examination  examination of conscience (as done daily by Jesuits)
        subtype:  omphaloskepsis  contemplation of one's navel
        subtype:  retrospect  contemplation of things past; "in retrospect"
  subtype:  excogitation  thinking something out with care in order to achieve complete understanding of it
  subtype:  explanation  thought that makes something comprehensible
     subtype:  interpreting__interpretation__rendition__rendering  an explanation of something that is not immediately obvious; "the edict was subject to many interpretations"; "he annoyed us with his interpreting of parables"
        subtype:  broad_interpretation__broadinterpretation__judicial_activism  an interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court)
     subtype:  rationalization.explanation__rationalisation  the cognitive process of making something seem consistent with or based on reason
  subtype:  provision__planning__preparation  the cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening; "his planning for retirement was hindered by several uncertainties"
     subtype:  agreement.provision__arrangement  the thing arranged or agreed to
        subtype:  collusion  secret agreement
        subtype:  prearrangement  an arrangement in advance
     subtype:  applecart.provision  the planning that is disrupted when someone "upsets the applecart"
     subtype:  mens_rea__malice_aforethought  (law) criminal intent; the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal)
     subtype:  calculation__deliberation  planning something carefully and intentionally; "it was the deliberation of his act that was insulting"
     subtype:  premeditation  planning or plotting in advance of acting
  subtype:  problem_solving  the thought processes involved in solving a problem
     subtype:  enquiry__inquiry__research  a search for knowledge; "their pottery deserves more research than it has received"
        subtype:  nature_study  the study of animals and plants in the natural world (usually at an elementary level)
        subtype:  experimentation__experiment  the testing of an idea; "it was an experiment in living"; "not all experimentation is done in laboratories"
           subtype:  pilot_experiment__pilotexperiment  a preliminary experiment whose outcome can lead to a more extensive experiment
           subtype:  trial_run__trialrun__trial__test__tryout  trying something to find out about it; "a sample for ten days free trial"; "a trial of progesterone failed to relieve the pain"
              subtype:  field_trial__fieldtrial  a test to display the performance of some new product
              subtype:  alpha_test__alphatest  a first test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by the developer
              subtype:  beta_test  a second test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by an outside organization
              subtype:  road_test  a test to insure that a vehicle is roadworthy
                 subtype:  test_drive  test of the roadworthiness of a vehicle one is considering buying
              subtype:  trial_balloon__trialballoon  a test of public opinion
        subtype:  empirical_research__empiricalresearch  an empirical search for knowledge
        subtype:  investigation__probe  an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities; "there was a congressional probe into the scandal"
        subtype:  public_opinion_poll__poll__opinion_poll__opinionpoll__canvass  an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people
           subtype:  straw_vote__strawvote__straw_poll__strawpoll  an unofficial vote taken to determine opinion on some issue
        subtype:  heraldry.enquiry  the study and classification of armorial bearings and the tracing of genealogies
     subtype:  figuring__calculation__computation__reckoning  problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
        subtype:  extrapolation  (mathematics) calculation of the value of a function outside the range of known values
        subtype:  interpolation  (mathematics) calculation of the value of a function between the values already known
        subtype:  conversion.figuring  a change in the units or form of an expression: "conversion from Fahrenheit to Centigrade
           subtype:  data_conversion__dataconversion  conversion from one way of encoding data to another way
           subtype:  digitization__digitisation  conversion of analog information into digital information
        subtype:  estimation__estimate__approximation__idea  an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth; "an estimate of what it would cost"; "a rough idea how long it would take"
           subtype:  guesswork__guess__gues__shot__dead_reckoning  an estimate based on little or no information
           subtype:  guesstimate__guestimate  an estimate that combines reasoning with guessing
           subtype:  overrating__overestimate__overestimation__overreckoning  a calculation that results in an estimate that is too high
           subtype:  underestimate__underestimation__underrating__underreckoning  a calculation that results in an estimate that is too low
        subtype:  derived_function__derivedfunction__derivative__differential_coefficient__differential__first_derivative__firstderivative  the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx
           subtype:  curvature  the rate of change (at a point) of the angle between a curve and a tangent to the curve
        subtype:  integral  the result of a mathematical integration; F(x) is the integral of f(x) if dF/dx = f(x)
           subtype:  indefinite_integral  the set of functions F(x) + C, where C is any real number, such that F(x) is the integral of f(x)
           subtype:  definite_integral  the integral of a function over a definite interval

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