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Updated 2007-01-10

Thinking with the Computer  A course for learning English, computer skills and thinking styles Lateral Thinking

Edward de Bono at http://www.edwde Bono.com/ is the principal and earliest proponent of lateral thinking.

" Lateral Thinking (1967) by Edward de Bono" has techniques that include:

• The generation of alternatives.
• Challenging assumptions
• Suspended judgement.
• Dominant ideas and crucial factors.
• Fractionalization.
• The Reversal Method.
• Analogies.
• Choice of entry point and attention area.
• Random stimulation.
• Concepts/Divisions/Polarization.
• The new word po.
• Blocked by openness.
• Description/Problem Solving and Design

One common way to visualize lateral thinking is to try some puzzzles.

Puzzle:

For the first 4 puzzles, pretend you are an alien who had managed to learn the English language, but you do not know what significance the days of the week have. On which day of the week would you assume

1. You would cook a meal.
2. You would get paid.
3. You would get married.
4. It would be unusually bright.

Try some classic Lateral Thinking Puzzles at http://einstein.et.tudelft.nl/~arlet/puzzles/lateral.html and at http://www.puzz.com/lathink.html 

The man in the Elevator

A man lives on the tenth floor of a building. Every day he takes the elevator to go down to the ground floor to go to work or to go shopping. When he returns he takes the elevator to the seventh floor and walks up the stairs to reach his apartment on the tenth floor. He hates walking so why does he do it?

This is probably the best known and most celebrated of all lateral thinking puzzles. It is a true classic. Although there are many possible solutions which fit the initial conditions, only the canonical answer is truly satisfying

Death in a Field

A man is lying dead in a field. Next to him there is an unopened package.
There is no other creature in the field. How did he die?

Trouble with Sons

A woman had two sons who were born on the same hour of the same day of the
same year. But they were not twins. How could this be so?

A good introduction to Lateral Thinking is at http://www.tld.jcu.edu.au/netshare/learn/thinking/lateral.html

Another clear introduction is at: http://www.newiq.com/services/wbrochure/w_lateralthinking.htm

Here is a page of links about Lateral Thinking   http://www.future-thought.com/links.html 

Week 1: Read about Lateral Thinking and Edward de Bono. 

Week 2: Do some Lateral Thinking Puzzles.

Evaluation: Think of a lateral thinking puzzle. Write it down and send it to your teacher.

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 © Kevin Ryan 2001         ryan@kevinryan.com              Thinking with Computers course