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An Example
Identify main ideas and write them down Decide in advance that you will look at the problem from six (?) different points of view - and then do it. Make a deliberate logical/factual mistake and see where it leads you (eg boys and girls must use the same toilets) Pick an object at random and see how it might be relevant to the topic under discussion (How is an OOSCC Club like a tin opener?)
The two appendices 'Lateral and Vertical Thinking' and 'Techniques of Lateral Thinking' give a more detailed explanation and also give the titles of some of De Bono's books.
Draw a Mindmap
A Mindmap is a drawing which represents what is going on in your mind while you make notes, gather ideas for reports and/or try to be creative. There will be units (for things, ideas or events) joined up by lines which show how the units interact. A mindmap is thus an interactive mind map but in Tony Buzan's version of the idea greater emphasis is put on keywords and on the use of images and colour to enhance understanding, creativity and memory.
Reference Tony Buzan (1989) Use both sides of your brain; Plume. This book includes an easy to read explanation of right and left brain thinking.
Much confusion can arise through muddled thinking. Most often the muddle is unintentional but some smooth operators (like double-glazing salesmen?) use it intentionally. Consider the No True Scotsman Move. Imagine Hamish McDonald, a Scotsman, sitting down with his Press and Journal and seeing an article about how the 'Brighton Sex Maniac Strikes Again'. Hamish is shocked and declares that "No Scotsman would do such a thing". The next day he sits down to read his Press and Journal again and this time finds an article about an Aberdeen man whose brutal actions make the Brighton sex maniac seem almost gentlemanly. This fact shows that Hamish was wrong in his opinion but is he going to admit this? Not likely. This time he says, "No true Scotsman would do such a thing". This example is taken from Anthony Flew's book Thinking about Thinking - or do I sincerely want to be right?. Mr Flew is a Professor of Philosophy so the book, although quite thin, can be a bit heavy at times. But it is now in its eighth edition - it is worth making the effort as it describes such lovely notions as: The but-they-will-never-agree diversion The but-you-can-understand-why evasion The fallacy of pseudo-refuting descriptions The logically-black-is-white slide The truth-is-always-in-the-middle damper The unAmerican fallacy Begging the question Persuasive definition Affirming the antecedent Affirming the consequent
Making a statement in which 'all' is implied Repeat the statement using 'all' and showing but 'some' is true. that it is therefore false Proof by selected instances Point to counter instances
Extension of an opponent's proposition by State again the more moderate position contradiction or by misrepresentation of it which is being defended Evasion of a sound refutation of an Analyse the formula to demonstrate its argument by the use of a sophisticated unsoundness formula Diversion to another question, to a side Refuse to be diverted and restate the real issue, or by irrelevant objection question Proof by inconsequent argument Ask for a clear explanation of the connection between the proposition and the alleged proof