https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_de_Bono
- Lateral Thinking – An Introduction (2014) ISBN 978-0-09-195502-1
- https://archive.org/details/lateralthinkingi0000debo/page/n3/mode/2up
What are the key points of Edward de Bono’s works on thinking? (ChatGPT, 2025-3-19)
Edward de Bono, a Maltese physician and psychologist, made significant contributions to the field of creative thinking. He is renowned for introducing the concept of “lateral thinking” and developing practical frameworks to enhance problem-solving and innovation. Key aspects of his work include:
1. Lateral Thinking:
De Bono coined the term “lateral thinking” to describe a method of thinking that seeks solutions through unorthodox or indirect approaches, challenging traditional step-by-step logic. This technique encourages individuals to restructure their patterns of thinking, thereby fostering creativity and novel solutions. For example, de Bono introduced tools such as provocation and random entry to disrupt conventional thought processes and generate new ideas.
2. Six Thinking Hats:
In his book “Six Thinking Hats,” de Bono presented a model for group discussion and individual thinking that assigns different perspectives to six metaphorical hats:
• White Hat: Focuses on objective data and facts.
• Red Hat: Relates to emotions and intuitions.
• Black Hat: Involves critical judgment and caution.
• Yellow Hat: Symbolizes optimism and positive thinking.
• Green Hat: Represents creativity and new ideas.
• Blue Hat: Concerns process control and organization.
This method allows individuals and groups to explore issues from multiple perspectives systematically, enhancing decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
3. Attention, Escape, and Movement:
De Bono emphasized three critical components in creative thinking:
• Attention: Directing focus to different aspects of a problem.
• Escape: Breaking free from traditional patterns of thought.
• Movement: Advancing ideas forward to develop new concepts.
These elements encourage thinkers to challenge assumptions and explore alternative pathways, thereby facilitating innovative solutions.
4. B.R.U.T.U.S Technique:
De Bono developed the B.R.U.T.U.S (Bring Up The Unusual) technique to encourage the generation of unconventional ideas during brainstorming sessions. This approach helps individuals move beyond initial, often predictable ideas, to discover more groundbreaking solutions.
Through these methodologies, Edward de Bono provided valuable tools and concepts that have been widely adopted to enhance creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication across various domains.
What does Bono mean by parallel thinking? (ChatGPT, 2025-3-19)
Edward de Bono’s concept of parallel thinking offers an alternative to traditional adversarial approaches by encouraging all participants to think in the same direction simultaneously, fostering collaborative exploration and minimizing conflict.
Key Aspects of Parallel Thinking:
• Unified Focus: Participants address a problem or topic collectively, considering one aspect at a time, which streamlines discussions and enhances productivity.
• Six Thinking Hats Method: De Bono’s “Six Thinking Hats” technique exemplifies parallel thinking by assigning specific roles or perspectives to each hat, ensuring that all viewpoints are explored systematically.
By adopting parallel thinking, groups can move beyond confrontational debates, allowing for more constructive and efficient problem-solving processes.
