How is lateral thinking formally defined, and who coined the term?

Lateral thinking was coined by Edward de Bono in 1967 — it means solving problems through indirect, creative approaches rather than traditional step-by-step logic.

Definition:

• A way of thinking that seeks solutions through non-obvious, indirect approaches
• Deliberately looks at problems from new and unusual angles
• Complements (doesn't replace) vertical/logical thinking
• Literally means "thinking sideways" — approaching a problem from the side rather than head-on

Edward de Bono (1933–2021):

• Maltese physician, psychologist, and author
• Wrote over 85 books on thinking and creativity
• Also created the Six Thinking Hats method
• His core insight: the brain forms self-organizing patterns that we get trapped in — lateral thinking is the deliberate effort to escape those patterns

Key distinction: Lateral thinking isn't random or irrational. It's a structured approach to creativity — using specific techniques to deliberately shift perspective.

In de Bono's words: Lateral thinking means rejecting the obvious, abandoning traditional thinking patterns, and using already available information in new ways.

Go deeper:

• Wikipedia: Edward de Bono — biography of the originator of lateral thinking; his 1967 The Use of Lateral Thinking and the later Six Thinking Hats method.
• Edward de Bono — Thinking Course: Lateral Thinking — de Bono himself teaching the technique he coined.