The Irish Times. Photograph: Eric Luke
Pioneer of Thinking as a Skill
We’ll be exploring the life and ideas of the late Dr. Edward de Bono, a Maltese doctor, psychologist, and author. He is best known for teaching people how to think creatively and solving problems in new ways. One of his biggest contributions is the idea of “lateral thinking,” which means looking at problems from different angles and challenging traditional ways of thinking.
Dr. de Bono believed that thinking is a skill anyone can learn and use to make better decisions and solve challenges. His methods have been used in schools, businesses, and even governments to encourage creative thinking and innovation. He also said that the way we usually think, by focusing on arguments and analysis, isn’t always enough for today’s fast-changing world.
Here are some highlights of his work and life:
His Education
De Bono studied at some of the world’s top schools, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard. His background in medicine, psychology, and physiology helped him come up with fresh ideas about how people think.
Lateral Thinking
In 1967, de Bono introduced “lateral thinking,” a method for solving problems by thinking differently. Instead of following a straight path, lateral thinking encourages exploring new and unexpected ideas.
The Six Thinking Hats
One of his most famous tools is the “Six Thinking Hats.” Each hat represents a different way of thinking:
- White Hat: Focus on facts and information.
- Red Hat: Think about emotions and feelings.
- Black Hat: Look at risks and potential problems.
- Yellow Hat: See the positives and opportunities.
- Green Hat: Be creative and think of new ideas.
- Blue Hat: Manage the thinking process.
This tool helps people work together by looking at a problem from different perspectives.
Teaching Thinking
De Bono spent much of his life teaching people how to think better. He created programs like the CoRT (Cognitive Research Trust) program, which is used in schools to help students improve their thinking skills.
Global Impact
De Bono’s ideas have been shared around the world in more than 34 languages. He worked with big companies like IBM and Ford and gave lectures in over 50 countries.
Focus on Perception
He believed that how we see things shapes how we think. He taught that recognizing our own biases and viewpoints is important for solving problems and avoiding conflicts.
Dr. Edward de Bono helped people see that thinking is more than just something we do—it’s a skill we can practice and improve. His tools and methods continue to help people come up with creative ideas and make smarter decisions.