A Theory of the Microdynamics of Occurrent Thought

A Theory of the Microdynamics of Occurrent Thought offers the present theory (T2) as based on a first-person, reflectively-based analysis of presently occurring thoughts (i.e., occurrent thoughts (OTs)) and proposes that each one consists of a specific combination of ten or fewer micro phases possessing phenomenal contents so fleeting that most are unaware of their existence. The theory specifies the “movements” of an operating “I” (i.e., central executive) in, as, and among these phases in the service of “processing” their contents by fleetingly “becoming” them, followed by one of several possible transitions of attention that bring about different degrees of their objectification. The relatively fixed sequences of the different phases of occurrent thinking, along with an operating “I”’s immersion in and “face-up” or “face-down” surfacing from their phenomenal contents, form a structure that carries and drives “on-line” cognition, supporting the view that OTs play a causal role in human information processing. Two categories, two forms, and fifteen different types of OTs are defined by the theory presented in this book based on their respective phases and on the transitions of an operating “I” therein. This book includes detailed illustrations of the different types of occurrent thoughts.