Linear Thinking vs. Lateral Thinking
Linear thinking follows a straight line of reasoning, making it easy to understand but limited by assumptions; lateral thinking seeks alternative approaches by questioning underlying constraints.
THE IDEA
Chapter 3 Linear Thinking vs. Lateral Thinking
The philosopher and psychologist Edward de Bono, who coined the concept of lateral thinking, referred to the aforementioned type of reasoning and thinking as linear thinking when compared with his own concept of lateral thinking. In general, they are linear in that they follow a straight line of reasoning. This has its advantages in that its way of thinking is much easier to understand and instruct others, but it comes with some serious limitations. Think back to the example with Galileo. The existing geocentric view of the solar system set some kind of artificial limitation on the way people think about it, with the idea that the Earth was the center of the solar system and the universe. Had Galileo stuck to linear thinking, that fundamental underpinning would not have been in question.
Lateral thinking seeks to take a different route to the conclusion by approaching the problem from a different angle than when used in linear thinking and the rest of the pages will illustrate several different ways of doing so.
You might have learned the phrase, "What you see is what you see." It means that our perception restricts our capacity to understand this.
None dispute that a person who never experienced love in their lives discovers establishes or retains a first-class relationship with great difficulty. Similarly, if you have grown up in extreme poverty, it takes a lot of personal transformation before you can survive comfortably in wealth.
This paper examines the parallels between the spiritual "thinking force" paradigm and the "thought style" practice of science and organizational growth. Working with these thoughts brings us on the path we're most likely to get it.
When to use it
When a team is stuck on a problem and needs to generate novel solutions.
When evaluating a business strategy that has been accepted for a long time.
When trying to overcome a personal bias or prejudice.
In education, to encourage students to think beyond textbook answers.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Galileo and the Geocentric Model
In the example with Galileo, the existing geocentric view of the solar system set an artificial limitation on people's thinking. Had Galileo stuck to linear thinking, he would not have questioned the assumption that Earth is the center of the universe, thus preventing his revolutionary discovery.
Perception Shapes Experience
A person who has never experienced love finds it difficult to establish or maintain a relationship; similarly, someone raised in extreme poverty may struggle to adapt to wealth without significant personal transformation. Perception restricts understanding.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
What assumptions are you making in your current approach to a problem that might be limiting you?
Can you think of a situation where lateral thinking led to a breakthrough?
How might you apply lateral thinking to challenge a common belief in your field?
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Thinking in Systems and Mental Models Think Like a Super Thinker (Dawson, Marcus P)