Conceptual Thinking and Using Physical Things

There is a misunderstanding that conceptual thinking is abstract in nature. Conceptual thinking is seen as just playing in your head, without physical devices? Conceptual art is the physical result of conceptual thinking. In conceptual art, the idea or concept is the most important aspect of the work. When an artist uses a conceptual form of …

Benefits of Conceptual Thinking

Conceptual Thinking – Thinking with the help of concepts – does have a lot of advantages. concept (Wikidictionary) abstract and general idea; an abstraction understanding retained in the mind, from experience, reasoning and/or imagination; a generalization (generic, basic form), or abstraction (mental impression), of a particular set of instances or occurrences (specific, though different, recorded manifestations of …

Conceptual Thinking

Many people are not very proficient in Conceptual Thinking. Perhaps because it is nowhere taught. Conceptual Thinking is thinking with the aid of concepts.   Some people  describe it as the ability to effortlessly walk up and down the ladder of abstraction. A concept is 1. A general idea derived or inferred from specific instances or occurrences. …

Escaping Thinking-as-Usual about Global Warming

Having summarized existing approaches, could we escape from those and find fresh approaches to mitigate or even counteract the effects of climate change?
Try to come up with at least three ¨escapes¨: alternative approaches to mitigate global warming.

Thinking about the Spread of the Coronavirus (2) – Concepts

In the crucial month of February, in those weeks before the major outbreak in Europe, there was still room to stock up on protective equipment, to scale up the laboratories, to expand the purchase and production of test materials, to prepare for the removal of serum with antibodies in healed patients. Only, it didn’t happen. …

Dramatized Thinking Vocabulary – How to Make Sense of the World

In an earlier post, we wrote about Thinking in a Social Dynamic Context, mentioning some researchers on conformity anyone who is interested in Thinkibility must know: Solomon Asch, Irving Janis, Stanley Milgram Philip and Zimbardo.   In this post, we will explore the theme of conformity and social dynamics in a more dramatic and impact …

Thinking in Analogies

Many teachers in analytical/critical thinking and writing clearly forbid students the use of analogies, because, in one sense, all analogies are faulty. However, as George Lakoff,  known for his thesis that the lives of individuals are significantly influenced by the central metaphors they use to explain complex phenomena, convincingly argues  that all our thinking is metaphorical. …

Thinking in Images

Most people think in words. When asked to imagine a traffic accident they come up with not very detailed descriptions, in comparison with people who are thinking in pictures. It became even worse if the words are becoming more and more abstract. Words as society, market, law, inflation etc. stay for them just words; they …

Thinking Strategies: It’s Time to Plan the Thinking

Since we began this blog, we have discussed a range of Thinking Strategies to enhance capabilities to think about a subject. Thinking Strategies are process designs for thinking. It gives you a global approach for thinking. Thinking Strategies allow you to make a map of the thinking situation before you enter the area. It allows …

Left Out in the Global Warming Discourse

You can safely assume that information, any information, they present you with has some relevant information “Left Out”. The originator’s perspective, the logic bubble in which she perceives the world, and how the information is applied are some reasons for the missing information. Also, we may unconsciously miss the presented information because it doesn’t fit …

Combining concepts

What does a concert hall look like? What things are important for a great concert hall? A concert hall is: a building with a stage performanance venue filled with seats There are many benefits with conceptual thinking, thinking with the aid of concepts.  A concept can be defined as an abstract and general idea. But …

501

We made it to this five-hundred and one post! To celebrate this we announce the publishing of two books that reflect the most profound insights we got from our notes on Thinking, Creativity, Innovation and Design so far. Concepts at Work Working with concepts will get you all the ins- and outs of conceptual thinking. It will …