“In solving a problem of this sort, the grand thing is to be able to reason backwards. That is a very useful accomplishment, and a very easy one, but people do not practise it much. In the every-day affairs of life it is more useful to reason forwards, and so the other comes to be neglected. There are fifty who can reason synthetically for one who can reason analytically…Let me see if I can make it clearer. Most people, if you describe a train of events to them, will tell you what the result would be. They can put those events together in their minds, and argue from them that something will come to pass. There are few people, however, who, if you told them a result, would be able to evolve from their own inner consciousness what the steps were which led up to that result. This power is what I mean when I talk of reasoning backwards, or analytically.”





I have occasionally tackled the the concept of problem solving numerous times before, but never have I stated this method of deriving to the truth. This method seems to be more sufficient in theory, than your average approach to problem solving. There are two types of problem solvers, divergent problem solvers and convergent problem solvers. We will begin by dissecting the technicalities of our average problem solver (The Divergent solver).

Much like lateral thinking, Divergent problem solving is rather similar to it. Expect the fact that Divergent problem solving does not utilize the provocation method. Which induces new perspective into approach the problem. Lateral Thinking is an idea generation and problem solving technique in which new concepts are created by looking at things in a novel way. Whereas logical ’vertical thinking’ carries a chosen idea forward, the sideways lateral thinking provokes fresh ideas or changes the frame reference. And while vertical thinking tries to overcome problems by meeting them head on. Lateral thinking tries to bypass them through radically different approach.

Here are five ways to train yourself to tackle problems laterally:

1. List the assumptions

2. Verbalize the convention

3. Question the Question

4. Change Perspective





Lateral thinking can then be presumed as a honed Divergent way of solving problems, and thus not radically different. It is a method that has been enhanced to derive towards conclusion in much creative way and open minded approach.





Reasoning Backwards can be more rewarding, than the regular straight forward approach. Solving problems is detective work. The search for the root causes of the problem is very like the search for the perpetrator of the crime.The casual problem solver usually approaches any given problem through divergent thinking it flows from cause to effect. Thus resulting in the generation of various possibilities that creates a foggy confusion when determining a pursuit. This method of thought ’divergent thinking’ may serve useful once the root case of the problem has been determined. It can serve as a way to generate multiple solution’s for the root cause. The divergent method is compatible with the root cause detection because it already exists, and simply needs to be discovered. Analytic thought and convergent thinking is practically reasoning backwards. Which means it moves from Effect to Cause. It is more practical as it serves as a quicker method to identify clues that will reveal the root causes they use observation followed by deduction





The average problem solver asks ‘What could be the root cause?’

-This encourages brainstorming which generates dozen of alternatives and possibilities, which may lead to perusing the wrong root cause.



The convergent problem solver asks 'What is different when problem occurs?’

-This leads to observation followed by deduction, whereas observation is the process in which the facts has been gathered and deduction is the formulated hypotheses and assuming the conclusion.

The formula may seem to be in rejection theory formation before data collection, which serves inversely proportional with the scientific method but it is not, the formula’s train of thought is as follows;

1. State the problem

2. Conduct research

3. Formulate hypothesis

4. Test the hypotheses

5. Confirm hypothesis or formulate new hypothesis

The method focuses on conduction research from the gathered facts (the facts that has been observed, then the inferred deductions is based on these observations.



Till then,



G.