this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2025
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Nope, not me... I'm still trying.

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[–] maxwellfire@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

I would ask: is it possible for two thoughts to be completely distinct from each other (according to however you're defining original). If no, then by definition only your first thought is original because after that all thoughts can be thought of as a variations on that thought (and you said variations weren't allowed)

I think your definition of 100% original is so restrictive that it kinda loses all meaning.

To actually answer, I think emotional reactions are some of the most original thoughts that I have. Like the experience of pain is original even if you've heard words describing it before. And if it's not original, then it's not original only to your own previous experience. In fact, the experience of having all thoughts/sensations is original, even if some sense of the meaning of that thought is not.

[–] ehpolitical@lemmy.ca 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Consider that every thought had to have been thought for a first time by someone. And thoughts and emotions are entirely different things, so that doesn't work. Interesting though, what you said about our first thoughts being original... that hadn't occurred to me, need to think about that one.

[–] maxwellfire@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Are there any two thoughts that are distinct from each other. Or is there only 1 unique thought (Choose any and then all others are a variation of it).

Also I disagree that thoughts and emotions are entirely distinct. Or does 'thoughts' refer just to language? Are visual thoughts thoughts? And if so, why not remembering the experience of pain?

Are memories thoughts? Or do I have to be commenting on the memory with language for it to be a thought? I feel like memories are 100% original too, since they're a re-experience of something that happened to you, not based on anything that someone else has previously thought.

[–] ehpolitical@lemmy.ca 1 points 3 days ago

Yes, I'd say our thoughts can be distinct from each other... conversely, I can't see how all our thoughts can be mere variations of one original thought when we're obviously capable of thinking about many unrelated things.

Yes, I'd say memories are thoughts when we actively remember, and the experiences they stem from are the origins of those thoughts... but original only to us, not original in nature... unless we've somehow had an entirely unique experience.

No, we don't need to express ourselves vocally in order to be having thoughts... hence, private thoughts.