Jerry bid second, giving reasons (6)
I believe the answer is:
points
'reasons' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to thinking as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'jerry bid second' is the wordplay.
'jerry' becomes 'po' (both can mean a chamber pot).
'bid' becomes 'int' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'second' becomes 's' (common abbreviation).
'po'+'int'+'s'='POINTS'
'giving' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for points that I've seen before include "Precise locations" , "Directions on compass" , "Geometric elements that have position but no extension" , "Indicates using finger" , "as setter does" .)