What I Am Thinking, Essay Example

I am certain about what occurs in my mind and it is impossible for another individual to know what I am thinking. Similarly, I cannot know with certainty what is going on in another individuals mind and can only deduce what they are thinking about by relating to similar situations I have found myself in. In order to deduce what is happening in another individuals mind, it is important to use inferences made from what is available, such as the behavior of these individuals.

As I watched people in a public space going about their daily undertakings, I could not stop but notice that they were exhibiting behavior that I could relate to. I could deduce what was happening in an individual’s mind in the public space from my own experience and how I would behave when faced with the same situation. The idea of what was going on in another person’s mind arises from my own experience. Reflecting on these previous experiences provides an understanding of what is going on in another individuals mind. These reflections stem from my experience and the corresponding mental process. The awareness of what is happening in another individuals mind is, therefore, an indirect and analogical deduction from my own experiences. By observing how another individual behaves as I would behave in a similar situation, I can make an inference of his or her mental state and the series of mental activities that accompany the observed behavior.

Thus, for instance, when I saw an individual trying to solve a difficult problem, like trying to read a map, I made an inference that the individual was frustrated because I would be frustrated if I was in the same situation. The observation of this individual’s behavior coupled with my experience in a similar situation informs my inference of how he feels.