Can you think without words?
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
Canada
February 26, 2010 2:02pm CST
Ive been thinking...and when I do, I use words to express ideas in my brain. So does it mean that if you dont know any words, you cant think?
Imagine you were born on a deserted island .....you've never been in contact with anyone, so you cant talk, you dont even know what talking is. You dont know any words because nobody taught you. So how do you think about things? How do you tell yourself you need to go catch a fish if you are hungry......how do you form that thought in your brain?
Animals can communicate, therefore think because they use some kind of verbal communication when in groups.
So, can we think if we dont use words?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@chadott (61)
• United States
26 Feb 10
Thinking about this, my brain collapsed! lol
I think that in the scenario you describe, that you will have your own type of "communication." Even without words to use to describe it, that hunger is still there, and very real. No matter what "word" you use to describe it.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
26 Feb 10
Haha, hi Chadott, yes I had a brain surge myself trying to imagine what it would be like to think but not use words.
I woke up with that thought this morning......guess I should try and think of something else now LOL
Thanks.
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
4 Mar 10
Hahaha, you had me choking on my coffee when I read your reply about the fried synapse!! good one!!
Im trying NOT to think about it now !!!
@dazone843 (62)
• United States
26 Feb 10
I'm pretty sure that we could. I mean there are people that are born deaf every day and function well in society, so they have to be able to think.
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@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
26 Feb 10
They learn a type of language, sign language for one. Im trying to think of something and NOT use words and its not working. So you're saying that deaf people dont think the same as we do?
@dazone843 (62)
• United States
27 Feb 10
Well of course they think, but if all they know is sign language then are their thoughts based strictly on signing? I understand what you are saying though. What would the thoughts be like if you had no vocabulary at all? I don't really know, but it certainly is something to ponder. That's just like animals, I'm sure they think too but what are their thoughts like?
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
4 Mar 10
Yup, thats what I mean....how do they think!!
Im sure deaf people think hehe!! Animals too I can tell from my dog but how he thinks is a mystery to me!!
Thanks Dazone!!
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
28 Feb 10
Do infants think? They are born without language, but with needs and feelings. It is proven that some things that they learn or experience pre language affect them all of their lives, but that they had those experiences before they had words and so could not express them.That is a contributing factor to "the terrible twos". Sometimes recurring dreams are expressions of things that happened before they gained the language to analyze them. Not all deaf people learn to sign or to read lips. If they do not develop some kind of communication they have a very hard time fitting into society.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
4 Mar 10
Hi GardenGerty!! Yes Im sure infants think and I remember my nephew going though his terrible two's Aye!!
I didnt know about deaf people having problems if they didnt learn sign language ......I guess they must feel very left out!!
I guess if you dont think with "words" you must think with images or emotions then.
Thanks!!
