What Is Thinking?

At first, the question “What is thinking?” may seem too obvious to ask. Thinking is as normal a part of everyday life as breathing and hearing. We plan, solve problems, imagine, and remember with little thought about the process itself. However, when we stop to examine it, thinking turns out to be extremely complex and in many ways mysterious. Is thinking just brain activity, or is it something more? Do machines and animals think? What are the limits of our thinking? Is there a correct or best type of thinking? Does thinking differ fundamentally between people? This short book looks at thinking from many perspectives, including neuroscience, biology, psychology, philosophy, evolution, culture, and art. It does not offer final answers, instead offering food for further thought and discussion.