What is the Difference Between Idea and Thought?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between an idea and a thought lies in their definitions and the role they play in the cognitive process:
- Thought: A thought is a mental process that occurs in the mind at a particular moment in time. It can be a piece of reasoning produced by thinking, an opinion, a belief, or a judgment. Thoughts are part of the mental process that keeps on going in the mind unabated.
- Idea: An idea refers to a plan or a process that occurs in the mind in relation to the completion of a work or duty. It is a mental impression or notion, often formed by the combination of thoughts about a particular problem. An idea can be a means of solution to a specific situation or a conception or plan formed by mental effort.
In summary, thoughts are momentary mental processes, while ideas are plans or processes that contribute to the completion of a task or address a specific issue. Thoughts can be seen as the building blocks for ideas, as they pave the way for the formation of ideas.
Comparative Table: Idea vs Thought
Here is a table that highlights the differences between an idea and a thought:
Feature | Idea | Thought |
---|---|---|
Definition | An idea is a concept or mental impression. | A thought is a mental process or product of thinking. |
Formation | An idea is formed by the combination of thoughts about a particular problem. | Thoughts can be independent and do not necessarily form an idea. |
Nature | Ideas are mental processes that relate to the completion of a work or duty. | Thoughts are mental processes that keep on going in the mind unabated. |
Relationship | Thoughts can pave the way for an idea. | Thoughts are a subset of idea. |
Plane of Existence | Ideas operate on a mental plane. | Thoughts operate on a spiritual plane. |
In summary, an idea is a mental impression or concept that relates to the completion of a work or duty, while a thought is a mental process or product of thinking that can be independent and does not necessarily form an idea. Thoughts can pave the way for an idea, and they operate on a spiritual plane, while ideas operate on a mental plane.
- Thought vs Imagination
- Idea vs Concept
- Thought vs Feeling
- Idea vs Theme
- Thinking vs Reasoning
- Opportunity vs Idea
- Think Of vs Think About
- Thinking vs Feeling
- Concept vs Conception
- Concept vs Theory
- Creative Thinking vs Critical Thinking
- Ideology vs Theory
- Philosophy vs Ideology
- Cognition vs Metacognition
- Concept vs Theme
- Spirit vs Mind
- Mind vs Brain
- Philosophy vs Theory
- Abstract vs Concrete Thinking