New Think: Edward De Bono
Bulleted points by Nikhil Singh
De Bono coined the term "Lateral Thinking". He contrasts the Lateral Thinking to the
Vertical one. The Vertical procedure is the natural way of thinking; it is based on
logic. The Lateral Thinking has arisen because of the limits of vertical thinking.
The author mentions that these two ways of thinking are complementary. When
the Vertical thinking is not able to find the solution for a problem, or when a new
idea/path needs to be discovered, the lateral thinking should be used.
De Bono identifies four critical factors associated with lateral thinking: first is to
recognize dominant ideas that polarize perception of a problem, second is
searching for different ways of looking at things, third is relaxation of rigid
control of thinking, and fourth is use of chance to encourage other ideas.
The book mentions the difference between vertical thinking and lateral thinking, and
mentions the advantages of lateral thinking. It says that lateral thinking is not a
magic formula, which can be acquired at once. Lateral thinking on the other hand,
needs to develop by practice.
In arbitrariness, the author points out the importance of choosing units of description
and says that they are very useful, and we need to keep options open in deciding
what to choose.
One technique for avoiding the rigidity of the words is to think in terms of visual
images and not to use words at all. Another useful technique for escaping from
the fixed parts of the problem is to break the parts down into still smaller parts
and then combine these parts to form novel units. The book mentions that
unfamiliar situations are always broken down into familiar pieces. This is vertical
thinking. To regard such pieces as the proper analysis of the situation is ignoring a
better explanation, which may need pieces not yet familiar enough to be used. The
method of logical or vertical thinking is to dig the same hole deeper; that of lateral
thinking is to dig a new hole. The digging of new holes, the use of unfamiliar
pieces, is the way to lateral thinking, and it helps in bringing out new ideas.
The book mentions that it is sometimes a useful technique to try to be deliberately
wrong in the evaluation of an idea. In defending an incorrect idea, a better point
of view can be discovered.
The use of chance in the generation of new ideas is also a basic principle of lateral
thinking. The author gives the example of Alexander Fleming. The one way to
use chance in a positive way is to play with ideas. It must be purposeless play for
the chance to come into play. A deliberate and earnest effort will defeat the
purpose of play.
The book also describes practical applications of lateral thinking by brief descriptions
of some of the ways the ideas came about.
The book also mentions that humor occurs when the most probable way of looking at
things is disrupted by a sudden appreciation that there is another way of looking at
them.
The book mentions the lack of tools to develop lateral thinking in orthodox education.