The processes of Reasoning may be said to comprise four general stages or steps, as follows: I. Abstraction, by which is meant the process of drawing off and setting aside from an object, person or thing, a quality or attribute, and making of it a distinct object of thought. II. Generalization, by which is meant the process of forming Concepts or General Idea. It acts in the direction of apprehending the common qualities of objects, persons and things, and combining and uniting them into a single notion or conception which will comprehend and include them all. III. Judgment, by which is meant the process of comparing two objects, persons or things, one with another, and thus perceiving their agreement or disagreement. IV. Reasoning, by which is meant the process of comparing two objects, persons or things, through their relation to a third object, person or thing. The most fundamental principle of reasoning, therefore, consists in the comparing of two objects of thought through and by means of their relation to a third object. Atkinson goes into further depth about this process and much more in The Art of Logical Thinking. Renew and maximize your thought process through this comprehensive guide on analyzing the world and it's information in an all new way. Cover photography by Paul Spremulli.