Says Jevons: “Simple apprehension is the act of the mind by which we merely become aware of something, or have an idea or impression of it brought into the mind;” while Hyslop states that “The process of knowledge which gives us percepts is apprehension.” It is obvious that the idea of the latter is that _apprehension_ yields individual notions only, while Jevons, in citing the term _iron_ as an illustration of his definition, would infer that the general notion is the product of _apprehension_. The term is strikingly ambiguous and will not be referred to often in this treatise. If the student desires a definition this will cover the concensus of opinion on the meaning of apprehension. _Apprehension is that process of the knowing mind which yields the percept and concept._ Some logicians give to the thinking mind the three aspects of apprehension, judging and reasoning.
In all thinking there are three steps or stages which may be termed _discrimination_, _comparison_, _integration_.
In the case of the two pencils held in the hand, it is noted that one is longer than the other. Let us analyze the process which made possible this conclusion. Step one――Attention is given first to one pencil and then to the other. In each case the pencils are distinguished from the hand and the other surrounding objects. This is discrimination. Step two――The pencils are _compared_ in length. Step three――The two notions are united in the judgment, “Pencil number _one_ is longer than pencil number _two_.” This is integration.
Another illustration. The child is requested to solve this problem: If 8 tons of hay cost $165, what will 16 tons cost?
Statement: Given: 8 tons cost $165. Required: 16 tons cost?
Discrimination. The child notes that 8 tons cost $165 and at this rate he is required to find the cost of 16 tons.
Comparison. The child perceives that 16 tons is twice 8 tons.
Integration. The child concludes that the cost of 16 tons will be twice the cost of 8 tons or $330.
When we think, we first tear to pieces that we may become acquainted with every part. This may be called analysis. Then we put the related pieces together again. This may be called synthesis. Before, however, the parts are re-united a certain amount of comparison is necessary. The three stages of thought might thus be denominated: (1) analysis, (2) comparison, (3) synthesis.