The Complexity of Human Thought

Description

This book provides an innovative interdisciplinary approach to understanding the principles of human thinking and offers techniques concerning the solution of abstract problems and predictions based on those principles. Utilizing the concepts of complexity science, the book explains the emergence and structural elements of cognitive models underlying such diverse human behaviors as abstract thought, kindness, and selfishness. Such cognitive models allow humans to react to their present environments and make accurate and useful predictions of their futures. Those who might find this book of interest are primarily academics or professionals interested in a unique and interdisciplinary approach to cognition based on complexity science. The book may also be utilized as a supplemental class text in programs on complexity science, life science, and cognition.   Preface Contents Chapter 1: Origins of Complexity Chapter 2: Diversity and Complexity Reductionism Chapter 3: Cognitive Models Chapter 4: How Cognitive Models Form Chapter 5: Human Development and Cognitive Models Chapter 6: The Structure of Complex Cognitive Models Chapter 7: Complexity Principles and Human Thinking Cognitive Rules Complex and Compound Cognitive Models Chapter 8: Constructing Cognitive Stability Model Stability and Functional Interconnections Inclusion, Exclusion, and Cognitive Models Networks and Cognitive Models Time, Stability, and Model Change Chapter 9: Interactions and Cognitive Models Model Change and Time Factors Complex Levels of Cognitive Reasoning The Development and Purpose of a Cognitive Model Chapter 10: Overload, Confusion, and Chaos Methods to Avoid Cognitive Overload Cognitive Overload and Emotions The Effect of Salience Chapter 11: Correlation, Canalization, and Cognitive Models Canalization Chapter 12: Creativity and Complex Scientific Models Cognitive Reductive Principles Detecting Underlying Identities Reducing Opposing Variables to an Identity Separate Multiple Variable Problems into Relevant Groups Assessing the Importance of Each Variable Hold All but One Variable Constant Correctly Sequencing Subgroups Example of Cognitive Reductive Procedures: A Practical Application, College Selection Irrelevant Variables Detecting Underlying Identities Opposing Variables Separating Variables into Relevant Groups Assessing the Importance of Each Group Hold All but One Grouping Constant Summary Chapter 13: Understanding Genocides Chapter 14: Generating Cognitive Models of Genocide Principles Used in Generating Immoral Cognitive Models Selecting Erroneous Variables Constructing Erroneous Identities Reduce Opposite Variables to an Identity Making One Variable Salient and Ignoring Others Creating a Sequence of Immoral Variables Chapter 15: The Complexity of Kindness and Selfishness Kindness Selfishness Kindness, Selfishness, and Clans Chapter 16: The Interconnection of Kindness and Selfishness The Interactive Balance of Kindness and Selfishness Chapter 17: Rational Human Thought Complexity and Informational Ignorance Complexity and Negating Information Complexity and Individual Cognitive Differences Chapter 18: Predicting the Future Predictions in Compound and Complex Environments Ignorance of the Environment and Prediction Complex Cognitive Factors Affecting Prediction Prediction in Stable Environments Prediction in Self-Organized Systems Prediction in Complex Adaptive Systems Prediction in “Bottom-Up” and “Top-Down” Systems Prediction in Large- and Small-Scale Environments References Index