“Psychological thinking is self-evaluating—it progresses by reflection. It has as a goal understanding, and evaluates each step in light of that goal.” – John Raithel
Psychological thought sees itself as well as all others. It is the complete cooperation of emotion and logic. It is the purest form of thought, using the surroundings, as well as the individual, to deduct conclusions and relate with others. It is only able to be grasped after the control of emotion and the selflessness of logic are achieved.
Psychological thought allows the individual to present the question of ‘why’. It is not linear in its process, but rather circular. It uses emotion to guide its path, with logic to analyze the question. Psychological thought, unlike the other types, is dependent on all forms of consciousness.
John Raithel describes the process of psychological thought perfectly when he says: “…I watch myself formulate my wish, I watch myself pursue it. And I tailor the questions by keeping in mind—really in feeling—what it is I wish to accomplish or discover.”
The three questions will again be repeated but in a different context. How am I able to possess psychological thought? What are the benefits of psychological thought? What, if any, are the negative aspects of psychological thought?
The answer to the first question is: by mastering your emotions and relinquishing your pride. The cooperation of both pathological and logical thought is essential in the attainment of psychological thought.
The answer to the second question is: clarity, serenity, compassion, love, etc. No deep thought, nor deep feeling, is capable without the process of psychological thought. Through pathological thought we can function. Through logical thought we can think. Only through psychological thought may we truly be ourselves.
The answer to the last question is: the seemingly unattainable nature of the thought itself. Psychological thought is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. It may come easier to some and harder to others, but it takes effort regardless. One must want to possess it, and strive for it, to ever reach the level of psychological thought. It can not be forced upon others, nor can you force yourself to use it. It is something that must be ardently searched for, and once found, it must be cherished. For any psychological thought is destroyed when the ideas of selfish logic or uncontrollable emotions are allowed to prevail.
In conclusion: I hope this section has opened your mind to some new and different ways of thought. I give accreditation to John Raithel for the basic concepts of the three types of thought from which I elaborated. Hopefully the understanding of these types of thought helps in the venture of answering the fundamental questions of life. The next section will be dealing with philosophies of mind and life, specifically dualism and stoicism
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