因为词组为be thought of as就是被认为是，被看作，即被动结构。
列句：Many politicians like to be thought of as a man of the people.
许多政治家喜欢被人视为平民。
In this regard, the child may be thought of as having two homes.就这一点而言，可以说这孩子有两个家。
The earth may be thought of as a gigantic magnet.整个地球可以想象为一块硕大无朋的磁石。
The well can be thought of as a dilatometer.水井可以认为是一个膨胀计。
作为 “……被视为/被看作……"的语义上讲，总体上3个表达一样。
1. We think of Deng Xiaoping as a great leader.
Deng Xiaoping is thought of as a great leader (by us). as 不可省略。
2. We see Deng as a great leader.
Deng is seen as a great leader (by us). as 不可省略。
3. We consider Deng (to be/ as) a great leader.
Deng is considered (to be/ as) a great leader (by us)
相对而言，3的用法多样些，灵活些。
类似还有:regard...as.../ view...as.../ treat...as.../ look on ...as...,etc.
being 用作非谓语动词或连系动词作主语或者状语，being thought of as
be thought to be讲述事实,be thought of as后面是观点.
be thought to be 的例句：
跟形容词 Frog not been seen for 50 years and thought to be extinct is discovered in Israel.
跟名词 He was thought to be a good student, until he was caught with drugs.
be thought of as的例句：
Left-handed people were thought of as abnormal and sometimes even as the victims of a disease.
被认为的观点是推测
后面可以跟名词 Being thought of as a beautiful woman has spared me nothing in life.
跟形容词 Why are southerners thought of as stupid?
跟动名词 I am thought of as being loud and excessively friendly.