Download Notes on Thomas`s "On Thinking about Thinking" Fall 2012

Notes on Thomas's "On Thinking about Thinking" Fall 2012
“Brownian Movement” (Thomas 151) “The irregular oscillatory movement observed in
microscopic particles or ‘molecules’ of all kinds suspended in a limpid fluid; also called
molecular movement.” (Oxford English Dictionary para. # 1)Thomas uses the term to
describe how our mind is full of notions of thoughts that bounce from one place to the
other.
--Fabiola
“notions” (Thomas 151). “a conception of or belief about something; a vague awareness
or understanding of the nature of something” (Mirriam-Webster Dictionary para. #1-2).
Thomas uses this term to describe the thoughts at any given moment going through the
mind.
—Nikki Patrikalakis
“Receptor”(Thomas 152). (Nerve Ending) “Molecule, generally a protein that receive
signals for a cell. Small molecules, as hormones outside the cell or second messengers
inside the cell, bind tightly and specifically to their receptors.” (Britannica Academic
Edition para. # 1) This is a term learned in science, especially in the study of the brain
which is part of neurology. Thomas uses “receptors” to explain how our brain receptors
heat up with music.
--Fabiola
“Orbit” (Thomas 152) “In astronomy, path in space described by a body revolving about
a second body where the motion of the orbiting bodies is dominated by their mutual
gravitational attraction.” (The Columbia Encyclopedia para. # 1)Thomas uses the term
from cosmology to help the reader understand how music and though dance united but
in separate notions.
--Fabiola
“black hole” (Thomas 152-3). “a region of space having a gravitational field so intense
that no matter or radiation can escape; a figurative place of emptiness of loneliness”
(Mirriam-Webster Dictionary para. #1-2) Thomas uses this term to describe how
sometimes there are so many thoughts occurring at once that the brain shuts down
since it cannot hold on to one thought and goes to sleep.
—Nikki Patrikalakis
“Counterpoint” (Thomas, 153). “Music in which one melody is accompanied by one or
more other melodies all woven into a harmonious whole” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary,
p165). Thomas uses the word “counterpoint” as a metaphor to describe the functions of
the brain as melody similar to music and dance intertwined.
--Matt
“Membranes” (Thomas, 153). “A thin pliable layer especially of animal or plant origin”
(Merriam-Webster Dictionary, p448). Thomas uses this word as a simile to compare the
sorting and selecting to a complicated dance.
--Matt
“Brandenburgs” (Thomas 153). “a historical region and former duchy of north-central
Germany around which the kingdom of Prussia developed” (Mirriam Webster Dictionary
para. #1) Thomas uses this reference to Brandenburgs as a simile to describe thoughts
as becoming patterned and motoric.
—Nikki Patrikalakis
“Transfixed” (Thomas, 154). “(a) To pierce through with or as if with a pointed weapon,
(b) to hold motionless by or as if by piercing” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, p760).
Thomas is inductive when he uses “transfixed” as a way to tie together the human brain
and what happens when it listens to music.
--Matt
[Kwasi]
Skewed: To take an oblique course. To look askance. (Britannica Academic Edition par
#1)
Thomas uses this word to describe how particles fall apart or deviate when the center
fails. They swerve diverge from the original pattern causing sleep.
Aggregate: to collect or gather into a mass or whole. To amount in the aggregate: to
TOTAL. (Britannica Academic Edition par #2)
Aggregate in this context was used by Thomas as two things coming together as one or
to form a total. He used it to describe how receptors meet.
Symbiont: an organism living in symbiosis; especially the smaller member of a
symbiotic pair. Britannica Academic Edition par #1)
In this case it is used to describe creatures living together and having an interdependent
relationship with each other. He describes them as “as they grow in size