Maybe the human race has not yet started to 'think'. That seems to be a bold and provocative statement. It may all depend on what we mean by 'thinking'.
What we currently call 'thinking' could more accurately be called 'recognition'. We learn to identify standard situations. We then provide standard answers. In any case recognising the standard situation provides us with information about that situation - and possible developments
of the situation.
This type of thinking has served us rather well. At least this is the case in science and technology. It is harder to see that we have made much progress in human affairs. The reason is that in science and technology 'things' stay the same for ever. So recognition leads to predicition. In human affairs there are interactive loops so the same thinking is largely ineffective.
There is new and better thinking available. We should make more effort to use it.
Edward de Bono nmt
9th December 2001
London
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