Argument is an extremely primitive...

Argument is an extremely primitive, crude and inefficient method of thinking. Yet we have been content to use this old-fashioned software for 2,400 years—ever since it was designed by the Greek Gang of Three (Socrates, Plato and Aristotle). Argument was never intended for constructive thinking—it was intended to find out "what is" rather than to design "what can be." Parallel thinking, using the Six Thinking Hats is far more efficient and effective. ABB in Finland used to spend 20 days on their multi-national project discussions. Using the Six Hats they now do it in 2 days. Statoil in Norway had a problem with a rig which was costing them $100,000 a day. Using the Six Hats the problem was solved in 12 minutes—with savings of $10 million. The method is now widely used by major corporations, by schoolchildren as young as four and even by Khmer villagers. It is faster, more effective and allows everyone to use their intelligence and experience to full effect—instead of ridiculous "case making." Jury decisions have been reduced from four hours to fifteen minutes. The Six Hat system is based on an understanding of how the brain chemicals change during different modes of thinking.