Do you think in ' Words ' ?

I think In WORDS.
For instance i think " I must go to the shop ", OR " I must throw out the garbage ".
The question is: before we had any ' words ', How did we think ?.

The brain's activity is simply reaction to stimuli from the outside world, and the first "thought" or action of the brain is not translated into language, but, instead, manifested in reaction. To be hungry, someone doesn't have to think "I am hungry," he will simply be hungry. To respond to that hunger by finding food, be it at a store or off a bush, the mind will look to memory to seek a solution. When memory tells the mind, "ah, usually when you're hungry you check the fridge," it doesn't communicate in verbal language, it merely conjures the specific memories accounting for this assessment. We may choose to think in the language we speak, but those words are merely signifiers for objects and concepts. Their use is to communicate ideas to others, not to ourselves. Most people do finalize thought in word within their minds, but the words themselves are really only necessary to let others understand what and why we are thinking.

thankyou, i've been relaxing for twenty minutes in a quiet room just listening and not thinking ( without words ).....................peacefull.

Jolly, i don't think anybody could have said it better than you did. Thats exactly what i was thinking.

This reminds me of a story I once read somewhere:

When Arthur returned to civilization after being raised by Merlin in seclusion, people asked what spells he was taught by the wizard.
He replied, "Spells? I don't know, but he did teach me words. When I was little he told me to eat, then he told me to sleep, and later on to walk. I've been eating, sleeping and walking ever since, so those must be potent spells indeed."

Dude... that's deep...

I've actually often thought about this aswell. I came to the conclusion that your mind doesn't actually "see" an object or action as a word, but automatically associates the object or action with a word, simply because that is what you have learned what it is. Similar to how Jolly explained it.

interesting i always thought that things llike this are linked with the way we comunicate, so i guess if somebodies primary method of communication was sign language the maybe they dont think words in there head but see the signs instead.

When i was little i used to think everone in the world spoke english in their head

Mostly, people think in terms of sensory information--primarily pictures.

I've got a theory- thinking in words aids one's memory. By memory I don't just mean like "what did I come into this room for?" but I also mean that our minds use words as value-holding variables with which to construct complex thoughts and arguments so that we do not have to hold every detail of every element of our thoughts in instinctive memory. Because of this I also believe that having a large vocabulary increases one's intelligence and the potential complexity and logical soundness of one's thoughts and reasoning.

Edit: Perhaps a more clear way of explaining this is that one's vocabulary is like information stored on a hard drive and one's instinctive thoughts are like ram. Ram is much faster, but it is volatile (short-term) and has much less storage space for its cost.

Originally Posted by: PRSplayaDude... that's deep...

I've actually often thought about this aswell. I came to the conclusion that your mind doesn't actually "see" an object or action as a word, but automatically associates the object or action with a word, simply because that is what you have learned what it is. Similar to how Jolly explained it.

classical conditioning in action...what we see is what we are taught to see..so maaaaaaayybe...what we see or perceive...isn't exactly what we see OR percieve.....oooooooo...

*cue x-files theme

mulder: where's me gimpsuit??!!

Words are indeed powerful. A few syllables can instantly conjure up knowledge and associations...like simply saying the word "high school" will generally bring up one's own experiences of that era of their life. And taking this in a different direction, it's similarly applied to the other senses as well. Here in Galveston the salty gulf can be smelled on the breeze. This stinks to alot of people, but I've had a great many memories whether they're on the beach, out fishing, or whatever, and thus when I get a whiff of that fishy 'stink', I can't help but like it.

Ya Rustee I dig that. I disgust myself though, a smell or song that i remember from a certain period of my life can easily make me so nostaligic i literally get sick to my stomach.

As for the thinking in words...mine gets kinda screwed from time to time. I regularly screw up a scentence half way through and start again. Ex. I'll tell someone, 'I bought my new guitar at Gilbert Guitars'. But...my head just says 'tell him about the new thing you have'.

So...It'll come out something like 'I bought guzaa.....' blah. I start again and try to laugh it off. It's been happening more and more lately. :confused:

I've got a Pink Floyd tuition Cd, it has seven of their best tracks, but without words.
By listening to these instrumentals I have a greater respect for how creative, talented and dedicated Pink Floyd Are .

I don't expect anybody to get very far in dealing with abstract concepts without thinking in words. This is why good language skills are very important. I think that the language a person uses to communicate to others with will also shape their thinking processes in terms of basic precepts and also how thoughts are organised in order to make them understandable.

We don't need no education.................
It's not true is it.

Originally Posted by: GramboI think In WORDS.
For instance i think " I must go to the shop ", OR " I must throw out the garbage ".
The question is: before we had any ' words ', How did we think ?.

what have you been smoking and where can i get some?

/just sayin
//this isn't really "normal" conversation.

Ha Ha, don't need to smoke, I just leave out a couple of downers -prescribed.

We don't need no medication......

Originally Posted by: tehplatypuswhat have you been smoking and where can i get some?

/just sayin
//this isn't really "normal" conversation.

Normal conversation sucks.

Thanks for all the repiles - got me ' finkin '.