ancient thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ancient thinking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to ideas, philosophies, or mentalities that originate from or are characteristic of ancient cultures or historical periods. Example: "The ancient thinking of the Greeks continues to influence modern philosophy and science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The big questions When applied to practice, the wise and ancient thinking of the world's major traditions can lead pupils to devise and answer their own questions.

The Guardian

What is exceptional in ancient thinking about health and disease is the clear-sighted recognition that doctors must observe accurately and record truthfully - even when patients die in the process.

BBC

Conservatives may not believe it but even liberals are eager to see genuine changes in the GOP, not because they want to vote for them but because a modern GOP, untethered from ancient thinking, would be much better able to work with the Democrats and govern jointly for the good of the country.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The ancients proposed thinking about it in the midst of vigorous life, so of course it seemed terrifying, but in fact when death approaches we are already half gone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Blockbuster-consciousness has them thinking ancient, rare, monumental,  expensive,  never-seen-before.

The New York Times - Arts

Practically ancient, he is thinking of ideas for a future career, chiefly in fashion, and is testing the water by using his colleagues as mannequins.

The New York Times

So you also get a beautiful decoration for your wall but you also get some kind of connection to ancient ways of thinking that have disappeared from modern lifestyles," Prof. Benjamin tells BBC Culture.

BBC

The extended-view model is a continuation upon current models that are themselves based upon, or are appropriated forms of, more ancient patterns of thinking.

Huffington Post

It's a very entry-level way into thinking about ancient history for five-year-olds.

The Guardian - Arts

"I was thinking about ancient Mesopotamia, a very bloody civilization about 6,000 years ago," Mr. Yilmaz said.

The New York Times

But don't be deceived into thinking this ancient drug is only reaching western creative circles now.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ancient thinking", ensure you provide context about the specific era or culture you are referring to, as different ancient societies had vastly different beliefs and philosophies.

Common error

Be specific about which "ancient thinking" you are referencing. Avoid sweeping statements that treat all ancient cultures as having the same mindset.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ancient thinking" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It refers to the collective thought processes, beliefs, and ideologies of past civilizations. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe influences on modern thought.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Arts

20%

Less common in

Education

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ancient thinking" refers to the collective thought processes and beliefs of past civilizations and is generally considered grammatically correct. Ludwig AI indicates that it can be used to describe influences on modern thought or to contrast historical and contemporary ideas. While "ancient thinking" is relatively common, it's important to provide specific context about the cultures or eras being referenced to avoid overgeneralization. Alternative phrases include "traditional mindset" and "historical perspective". The phrase appears frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register appropriate for a variety of discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ancient wisdom

Focuses specifically on the wisdom aspect of the ancient times.

traditional mindset

Emphasizes the conventional and long-established nature of the thought process.

classical thought

Highlights the classical period, especially in Greece and Rome.

historical perspective

Highlights the view of the past and historical context.

earlier beliefs

Simple and direct way to refer to past beliefs.

old-fashioned ideas

Focuses on the outdated nature of the concepts.

archaic wisdom

Stresses the wisdom aspect of ancient times.

past ideologies

Emphasizes the ideological aspect of earlier thought systems.

bygone philosophies

Specifically relates to ancient philosophical schools of thought.

primitive mentality

Highlights a very early or basic way of thinking.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "ancient thinking" in a sentence?

To effectively use "ancient thinking", provide context. For example, specify which civilization's ancient thinking you're referencing or what aspect of it you're discussing. Instead of just saying 'we should adopt "ancient thinking"', say 'we should consider the stoic philosophy, an aspect of "ancient thinking", to manage stress'.

What phrases can I use instead of "ancient thinking"?

You can use phrases like "traditional mindset", "historical perspective", or "classical thought" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it accurate to equate all "ancient thinking" across different cultures?

No, it's not accurate. "Ancient thinking" varied significantly between cultures. The philosophies of ancient Greece differed greatly from those of ancient China or ancient Egypt, for example.

How does "ancient wisdom" differ from "ancient thinking"?

"Ancient wisdom" implies that the ancient ideas are still valuable and relevant, while ""ancient thinking"" is a more neutral term that simply refers to the thought processes of the past without necessarily endorsing them.