Welcome aboard the mind express, where we choo-choo through the concept of the “train of thought.” More fascinating than a midnight express and less greasy than a freight train, the “train of thought” takes us on a ride through the realms of reasoning and connection, a mechanical marvel first coined by none other than Thomas Hobbes. Hobbes essentially positioned himself as the initial conductor of the brain’s locomotive in his seminal work, Leviathan (1651).
In Hobbes’ own words, the train of thought is “that succession of one thought to another,” neatly paralleling how a series of rail cars are linked. Imagine your thoughts like a set of linked train cars, each connecting to the next naturally—or sometimes, quite randomly, depending on how your personal cognitive railway operates!
Synonyms
- Chain of thought
- Line of reasoning
- Thought process
- Mental progression
Related Phrases
- Stream of consciousness: A literary technique, popularized by authors like Virginia Woolf and James Joyce, portraying the flow of thoughts in the minds of the characters.
- Thread of conversation: Refers to maintaining a consistent topic or line of thinking during a dialogue.
Antonyms
- Mind blank
- Thought block
- Mental lapse
Humor-filled Quote
“Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember—the only taste of success some people get is to take a bite out of you.” – Zig Ziglar
Proverbs and References
- “A thought is a seed—which one are you watering?” 🌱
- “It’s not the train you look at that matters, it’s the train of thought.”
Suggested Literature and Media
- Books: “Leviathan” by Thomas Hobbes, “A Room of One’s Own” by Virginia Woolf, “Ulysses” by James Joyce.
- Poetry: “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot
- Movies: Inception (2010) – Navigating through layers of dreams resembles exploring a convoluted “train of thought.”
- Songs: “Mad World” by Tears for Fears, reflecting on a continuous mental journey.
Farewell, dear reader! As your thought train chugs along the tracks of life, may your journey be unhampered, your stations be illustrious, and your final destination be as grand as the expanses of your imagination!
– Eliza Thinksworth
