intellection
The thinking process
Intellection is the process or act of thinking—the exercise of the intellect.
The word is formal and somewhat rare, appearing mainly in philosophical or academic contexts: Pure intellection, divorced from emotion, rarely drives human behavior.
It emphasizes reasoning and understanding as distinct from feeling or sensing.
Mental knowledge acquisition
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
insight · discernment · acumen · brainpower · acuity · mentality · sapience · nous
Conclusion from premises
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- syllogismFormal deductive argument structure
- argumentationSystematic reasoning process
induction · abstraction · conclusion · premise · hypothesis · rationale · analysis · synthesis
Focused attention practice
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- introspectionObserving one's own mind
- ponderingThinking deeply about something
- musingReflective contemplation
contemplation · rumination · reverie · brooding · self-examination · quietude · absorption · concentration
Philosophy of existence's nature
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- dialecticLogical argument through opposition
empiricism · rationalism · existentialism · phenomenology · stoicism · teleology · aesthetics · scholasticism
Formal argument on issues
- disputationFormal argumentative exchange
- polemicAggressive argumentative discourse
- refutationDisproving a statement
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
counterargument · thesis · antithesis · proposition · disquisition · treatise · apologia · rhetoric
Close, careful examination
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- inquiryRequest for information
- assessmentFormal evaluation of worth
evaluation · diagnosis · interpretation · critical thinking · deconstruction · parsing · dissection · exegesis
cognition
Mental knowledge acquisition
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- perceptionMental interpretation of stimuli
awareness · insight · discernment · acumen · brainpower · acuity · mentality · sapience · nous · apprehension
deduction
Conclusion from premises
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- syllogismFormal deductive argument structure
argumentation · induction · abstraction · conclusion · premise · hypothesis · rationale · analysis · synthesis · dialectic
meditation
Focused attention practice
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- introspectionObserving one's own mind
- ponderingThinking deeply about something
musing · contemplation · rumination · reverie · brooding · self-examination · quietude · absorption · concentration · mindfulness
metaphysics
Philosophy of existence's nature
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
dialectic · empiricism · rationalism · existentialism · phenomenology · stoicism · teleology · aesthetics · scholasticism · hermeneutics
debate
Formal argument on issues
- disputationFormal argumentative exchange
- polemicAggressive argumentative discourse
- refutationDisproving a statement
rebuttal · counterargument · thesis · antithesis · proposition · disquisition · treatise · apologia · rhetoric · dialectics
scrutiny
Close, careful examination
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- inquiryRequest for information
assessment · evaluation · diagnosis · interpretation · critical thinking · deconstruction · parsing · dissection · exegesis · systematic
- cognitionthinking, reasoning, thought, cognition, remembering
- understandingunderstand, comprehend, grasp, fathom, follow
intellectioninstinct
Innate behavioral tendency
reflex · impulse · gut reaction · automaticity · knee-jerk reaction
intellectionbrainlessness
Total lack of intellect
mindlessness · thoughtlessness · irrationality · illogic · stupidity
intellectionsensation
Perceived stimulus or phenomenon
perception · embodiment · actuality · materiality · tangibility
intelligent, intelligence, intellectual, intellect, unintelligent, intelligible, unintelligible, intelligibility, intelligentsia