Nonanalytic Concept Formation and Memory for Instances
Lee R. Brooks
Abstract
In discussion of human conceptual behavior, a pervasive contrast is that drawn between analytic and nonanalytic thought. By reputation, analytic thought is reputed to belong in the scientific sphere of cold simplicity, in which individual cases are an inconvenience to be considered mainly for their capacity to elucidate a sweeping general principle. When successful, analytic processes are supposed to be precisely focussed and relentlessly powerful; in failure, they stand in gross violation of common sense. In contrast, nonanalytic processes are more at home in the poetic and richly textured world of individuals, of special cases, and of interesting exceptions. Successful nonanalytic processes are often held to be the source of deep wisdom, of insight and humane qualities; but in failure, they represent stubborn, unenlightened illogicality.