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Lateral Thinking: An Introduction
Edward de Bono's bestselling introduction to the art of lateral thinking.
Why do some people always seem to have new ideas while others of equal intelligence never do? Lateral Thinking is Edward de Bono's original portrayal of what lateral thinking is, how it works and how to use it to develop your own potential for thinking and problem solving.
First published in 1967 as The Use of Lateral Thinking , this classic international bestseller remains as relevant to learning, problem solving and creative thinking today as it did when it was first published. De Bono argues that conventional vertical thinking often inhibits our ability to solve problems and come up with new ideas. He then shows that lateral thinking is a far easier and more natural way to generate simple, sound and effective ideas and offers guidance on how to develop your own ability to think laterally. Lateral thinking is a technique that anyone can learn and benefit from and you do not have to be a genius to benefit from it and generate ideas and solutions.
Why do some people always seem to have new ideas while others of equal intelligence never do? Lateral Thinking is Edward de Bono's original portrayal of what lateral thinking is, how it works and how to use it to develop your own potential for thinking and problem solving.
First published in 1967 as The Use of Lateral Thinking , this classic international bestseller remains as relevant to learning, problem solving and creative thinking today as it did when it was first published. De Bono argues that conventional vertical thinking often inhibits our ability to solve problems and come up with new ideas. He then shows that lateral thinking is a far easier and more natural way to generate simple, sound and effective ideas and offers guidance on how to develop your own ability to think laterally. Lateral thinking is a technique that anyone can learn and benefit from and you do not have to be a genius to benefit from it and generate ideas and solutions.
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 6, 2014
67 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
About the author
Edward de Bono
233 books1,146 followersEdward de Bono was a Maltese physician, author, inventor, and consultant. He is best known as the originator of the term lateral thinking (structured creativity) and the leading proponent of the deliberate teaching of thinking in schools.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 22, 2016
This was a very quick read and provided some useful snippets but it wasn't what I was hoping for. At the end of the book it detailed some related books, and I think that one of these is probably more what I was after; with exercises, etc
December 28, 2022
This was a mix of a hit and miss for me: the premise and the concepts inside are interesting and offer some points for reflection. At the same time, I feel like there was much room for further development of the topics introduced (the book in itself is quite short). It could have benefited from more relevant practical examples and exercises, that the reader could apply to everyday life. I guess the author later expands in the following books, but, still, instead of two or three 150ish page books, one could have had one 400 page book...
September 29, 2022
Such an interesting topic, but such a convoluted way of phrasing everything and structuring the entire book.
I got tired reading it.
It could have been an amazing essay if it had benefited from a proper editor to reshape it.
I got tired reading it.
It could have been an amazing essay if it had benefited from a proper editor to reshape it.
June 25, 2022
Lateral thinking as a technique is by no means a simple concept to either understand or implement. This book provides as much of an explaination as anyone could as to the fundamentals of lateral thinking.
Starting with the main ideas of why our society has totally integrated vertical thinking (opposite of lateral thinking) into the education system helped me realise how much of my education as a student is vertical thinking and how I have perhaps used lateral thinking maybe 4 or 5 times in my entire time at school. This section was the easiest to understand as it used concepts and ideas that I was used to in my life already.
Next onto the explanaition of lateral thinking and how it is used. Using structures and images as an extended analogy to represent how the mind functions was a very interesting way of presenting De Bono's ideas, however I felt like quite a few times the explanaition drifted away from the point at hand, leading me to lose focus of the context of everything, thus not being able to absorb the information as quickly as I would've liked. A lot of the time I felt myself re-reading the same sections multiple times to figure out what De Bono is trying to say.
Perhaps more sophisticated readers could take this in easier than I did, but for a relatively inexperienced reader of these kind of books, I felt like the points could have been more concise.
Finally a roundup of the techniques and methods than can be used in lateral thinking. This section used a lot of examples from famous works and inventions that were culminations of lateral thinking, and again I was able to understand this easily as De Bono is talking about things I have come across before. However, as lateral thinking is a very complex mindset shift, the methods explained weren't as simple as some would expect, more referencing to shifts in your work life or general analysis. I did find this interesting to think about though, especially for my future careers.
In conclusion, I think this book provides complicated though thoughtful insights into lateral thinking, and is a very intellectual read for those looking for something to boost their mindset. However it is not a necessary book in my opinion because I did not feel as if I could immediately take a new approach on life, more that I had gained some small snippets of information which I may be able to implement throughout my life but would probably not make a huge difference to whether or not I succeed.
Starting with the main ideas of why our society has totally integrated vertical thinking (opposite of lateral thinking) into the education system helped me realise how much of my education as a student is vertical thinking and how I have perhaps used lateral thinking maybe 4 or 5 times in my entire time at school. This section was the easiest to understand as it used concepts and ideas that I was used to in my life already.
Next onto the explanaition of lateral thinking and how it is used. Using structures and images as an extended analogy to represent how the mind functions was a very interesting way of presenting De Bono's ideas, however I felt like quite a few times the explanaition drifted away from the point at hand, leading me to lose focus of the context of everything, thus not being able to absorb the information as quickly as I would've liked. A lot of the time I felt myself re-reading the same sections multiple times to figure out what De Bono is trying to say.
Perhaps more sophisticated readers could take this in easier than I did, but for a relatively inexperienced reader of these kind of books, I felt like the points could have been more concise.
Finally a roundup of the techniques and methods than can be used in lateral thinking. This section used a lot of examples from famous works and inventions that were culminations of lateral thinking, and again I was able to understand this easily as De Bono is talking about things I have come across before. However, as lateral thinking is a very complex mindset shift, the methods explained weren't as simple as some would expect, more referencing to shifts in your work life or general analysis. I did find this interesting to think about though, especially for my future careers.
In conclusion, I think this book provides complicated though thoughtful insights into lateral thinking, and is a very intellectual read for those looking for something to boost their mindset. However it is not a necessary book in my opinion because I did not feel as if I could immediately take a new approach on life, more that I had gained some small snippets of information which I may be able to implement throughout my life but would probably not make a huge difference to whether or not I succeed.
March 18, 2018
This book is very easy to read and gets quickly to the point with great examples that underline beautifully the various elements of lateral thinking. It does say "An Introduction", but I feel that this introduction is way too simple and not deep enough.
I am giving 3 stars, not for the content of the book, but for what has been (voluntarily?) left behind. I feel that is a commercial move to let you buy another book with more practical exercises(which I probably will do since it is very interesting).
I am giving 3 stars, not for the content of the book, but for what has been (voluntarily?) left behind. I feel that is a commercial move to let you buy another book with more practical exercises(which I probably will do since it is very interesting).
July 28, 2017
interesting ideas but maybe a bit too long on some topics
December 18, 2018
Loved it. It gives a nice overview on limitations of classical thinking and gives a recipe on how to make it work better with the help of lateral thinking.
January 27, 2020
El cerebro y su universo de creatividad resolutiva ejemplificados a través de una redacción simple, elocuente y práctica.
September 3, 2018
The book is very interesting. For enter to the topic is great. I personal think that the last 3 chapters could be a little better... But in general I enjoy and recommend!
September 4, 2019
3.5/5
Difficult to follow at times. Many of these preliminary break throughs have been further explored in other, later texts
Difficult to follow at times. Many of these preliminary break throughs have been further explored in other, later texts
December 19, 2014
I'm so fascinated about the idea of lateral thinking, but the book was written so theoretically, and it lacks of real-life examples of applying the theory.
Although the author stressed on the Lateral Thinking importance - in the last chapter - that is applicable in different aspects of life - as he claims. But most of the examples given were about scientific discoveries.
The T-unit Chapter was useful that it gave me the essential (I think) first-steps of how to analyse things around us, but it wasn't enough to show us how can we apply Lateral Thinking in real life, how to look at things differently, and how such approach can lead to new ideas!
One point I'm really against is, that the author mentioned that (lateral thinking isn't a natural stuff, nor comes by revelation, it needs a practice). Well, maybe that is true to some extend, but I do believe that it comes sometimes by revelation or instinctively. I remember a time I was driving fast, and suddenly a car in front of me stopped. I would have hit it if I thought vertically of trampling on the break only, keeping driving in the same direction. That solution wouldn't have been useful because the distance was not enough to stop the car, so I thought of turning the car slightly to the left so it takes little extra space to stop and that was so effective. It happened by revelation! (Unless this is not categorized under lateral thinking, then I must read the book again).Moreover most of human beings in their nature don't give up from the first try. When they fail, they consider another way to solve what seems to be insoluble. Isn't it lateral? and doesn't it again proof that lateral thinking can be instinctive?
I guess the author illustrated laterally ideas we've been reading about in several business and self-help book. Things like being creative, and working our putts off. He simply showed us these ideas from different side. He laterally channeled these thoughts through different and unusual paths,which is AWESOME!
Although the author stressed on the Lateral Thinking importance - in the last chapter - that is applicable in different aspects of life - as he claims. But most of the examples given were about scientific discoveries.
The T-unit Chapter was useful that it gave me the essential (I think) first-steps of how to analyse things around us, but it wasn't enough to show us how can we apply Lateral Thinking in real life, how to look at things differently, and how such approach can lead to new ideas!
One point I'm really against is, that the author mentioned that (lateral thinking isn't a natural stuff, nor comes by revelation, it needs a practice). Well, maybe that is true to some extend, but I do believe that it comes sometimes by revelation or instinctively. I remember a time I was driving fast, and suddenly a car in front of me stopped. I would have hit it if I thought vertically of trampling on the break only, keeping driving in the same direction. That solution wouldn't have been useful because the distance was not enough to stop the car, so I thought of turning the car slightly to the left so it takes little extra space to stop and that was so effective. It happened by revelation! (Unless this is not categorized under lateral thinking, then I must read the book again).Moreover most of human beings in their nature don't give up from the first try. When they fail, they consider another way to solve what seems to be insoluble. Isn't it lateral? and doesn't it again proof that lateral thinking can be instinctive?
I guess the author illustrated laterally ideas we've been reading about in several business and self-help book. Things like being creative, and working our putts off. He simply showed us these ideas from different side. He laterally channeled these thoughts through different and unusual paths,which is AWESOME!
April 8, 2022
📚 «Gândirea laterală: o introducere» de Edward de Bono poate fi o carte despre creativitate. Despre modalitatea și tehnicile de a rezolva, de exemplu, o problemă, fără a mai trece totul printr-un filtru logic, demonstrabil prin concepte deja cunoscute.
Iar dacă problema nu are o raportare în trecut, prin urmare nici rezolvare, poate avea un răspuns necunoscut, pe care de multe ori nici nu-l bănuim și-l putem descoperi din întâmplare, atunci vorbim despre inovație. Iar inovația are înzecit mai multe șanse gândind «lateral».
Acum, gândirea verticală este o gândire înalt probabilistică, fără de care viața noastră de zi cu zi ar fi imposibilă. O gândire care diminuează haosul până la dispariția lui și ne ajută să învățăm lucruri. Exemplu? Matematica care ne ajută să ne gestionăm banii și să cumpărăm mâncare de la Mega. 1+1=2.
De cealaltă parte, gândirea laterală este o gândire scăzut probabilistică pentru care suntem nevoiți de cele mai multe ori să blocăm gândirea verticală și să căutăm variante noi. Haos, but there is a catch. :) Haos în virtutea unei direcții, nu în lipsa ei.
📚 «Gândirea laterală: o introducere» de Edward de Bono este o carte pe care v-o recomand. Este din seria #mustread, în special dacă lucrezi în diferite domenii creative / digital, cum ar fi marketing, publicitate, comunicare, programare etc.
Edward de Bono are o diplomă în medicină, masterat în filosofie și psihologie, precum și doctorate în medicină, design și drept, purtând în același timp pe umeri și o nominalizare la Premiul Nobel pentru Economie în 2005.
Lectură plăcută!
Mai multe reviews și poze găsiți la mine pe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costinro/
Iar dacă problema nu are o raportare în trecut, prin urmare nici rezolvare, poate avea un răspuns necunoscut, pe care de multe ori nici nu-l bănuim și-l putem descoperi din întâmplare, atunci vorbim despre inovație. Iar inovația are înzecit mai multe șanse gândind «lateral».
Acum, gândirea verticală este o gândire înalt probabilistică, fără de care viața noastră de zi cu zi ar fi imposibilă. O gândire care diminuează haosul până la dispariția lui și ne ajută să învățăm lucruri. Exemplu? Matematica care ne ajută să ne gestionăm banii și să cumpărăm mâncare de la Mega. 1+1=2.
De cealaltă parte, gândirea laterală este o gândire scăzut probabilistică pentru care suntem nevoiți de cele mai multe ori să blocăm gândirea verticală și să căutăm variante noi. Haos, but there is a catch. :) Haos în virtutea unei direcții, nu în lipsa ei.
📚 «Gândirea laterală: o introducere» de Edward de Bono este o carte pe care v-o recomand. Este din seria #mustread, în special dacă lucrezi în diferite domenii creative / digital, cum ar fi marketing, publicitate, comunicare, programare etc.
Edward de Bono are o diplomă în medicină, masterat în filosofie și psihologie, precum și doctorate în medicină, design și drept, purtând în același timp pe umeri și o nominalizare la Premiul Nobel pentru Economie în 2005.
Lectură plăcută!
Mai multe reviews și poze găsiți la mine pe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costinro/
October 4, 2015
Mediocre book. Expected more practical examples of the lateral thinking.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews