Edward de Bono
Born: May 19, 1933 – Valletta, Malta
Edward de Bono was a Maltese physician, psychologist, and author renowned for pioneering the concept of lateral thinking and for creating the influential Six Thinking Hats method. He wrote over 60 books on creative and conceptual thinking, with his work translated into more than 36 languages, impacting education, business, and problem-solving worldwide.
Biography & Author's Journey
Edward de Bono was born on May 19, 1933, in Valletta, Malta, into a family deeply rooted in academia and public service. His father was a professor of medicine, and his mother, a journalist and political activist, played a pivotal role in securing voting rights for women on the island. From a young age, de Bono demonstrated remarkable independence and intellect, entering boarding school at seven and graduating from St. Edward’s College, Malta, at the age of fifteen. His prodigious talents led him to the Royal University of Malta, where he completed a B.Sc. and M.D. by the age of 22. Awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, he went on to Oxford to earn a master’s degree in psychology and physiology, followed by a D.Phil. in medicine, and later, a Ph.D. from Cambridge.
Quotes
You May Also Like
Popular Books
Six thinking hats
Edward de Bono
A revolutionary method for group decision-making that enhances creativity, efficiency, and collaboration through structured parallel thinking.
Lateral Thinking
Edward de Bono
Unlock your creative potential with innovative problem-solving techniques that challenge conventional thinking patterns and spark ingenious ideas.
How to Have a Beautiful Mind
Edward de Bono
Unlock your mind's potential through creative thinking, empathy, and engaging conversation skills to become truly attractive and intellectually captivating.
Serious Creativity
Edward de Bono
Unlock your creative potential with practical techniques for innovative thinking and problem-solving in business and everyday life.
Six thinking hats
Edward de Bono
A revolutionary method for group decision-making that enhances creativity, efficiency, and collaboration through structured parallel thinking.
Lateral Thinking
Edward de Bono
Unlock your creative potential with innovative problem-solving techniques that challenge conventional thinking patterns and spark ingenious ideas.
How to Have a Beautiful Mind
Edward de Bono
Unlock your mind's potential through creative thinking, empathy, and engaging conversation skills to become truly attractive and intellectually captivating.
Serious Creativity
Edward de Bono
Unlock your creative potential with practical techniques for innovative thinking and problem-solving in business and everyday life.
Discover more
Apply Neuroplasticity to Design Innovation
Apply Neuroplasticity to Design Innovation
This program bridges the gap between cognitive science and practical problem-solving for professionals in creative and strategic roles. It is ideal for designers, engineers, and leaders looking to harness the brain's physical adaptability to foster a culture of breakthrough thinking.
Sam Altman's Blueprint for Bold Thinkers
Fuel innovation with books that shaped OpenAI's visionary leader.
BeFreed team
Oliver sacks and Alex boese
Oliver sacks and Alex boese
This learning plan bridges the gap between neurological observation and skeptical inquiry, offering a unique look at how our brains process reality. It is ideal for curious minds, students of psychology, and anyone looking to sharpen their critical thinking skills against modern misinformation.
Break out of fixed thinking patterns
Break out of fixed thinking patterns
In an era of rapid change, cognitive rigidity is a significant barrier to personal and professional growth. This plan is designed for leaders, innovators, and lifelong learners who want to deconstruct limiting biases and build a more agile, creative mindset.
Build multidisciplinary brain
Build multidisciplinary brain
In today's complex world, specialists who can think across boundaries create outsized value and innovation. This learning plan is ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners who want to transcend siloed thinking and develop the cognitive agility to solve problems creatively by drawing from multiple domains.
Learn more and engage in depp thinking
Learn more and engage in depp thinking
In an era of information overload, the ability to think deeply and strategically is a vital competitive advantage. This plan is designed for lifelong learners and professionals who want to move beyond surface-level knowledge to achieve true intellectual mastery and wisdom.
Design my learning path for original thinking
Design my learning path for original thinking
In a world that rewards innovation, the ability to think originally is increasingly valuable yet rarely taught systematically. This learning path helps professionals, creators, and leaders develop the mental frameworks and practical skills needed to break free from conventional thinking and generate truly original ideas.
Thinking like Sherlock Holmes
Thinking like Sherlock Holmes
This plan is designed for professionals and enthusiasts who want to sharpen their critical thinking and analytical precision. It bridges the gap between fictional detective work and real-world cognitive mastery, making it ideal for anyone seeking to improve decision-making and observation.
Community Voices
"Edward de Bono is regarded as the father of lateral thinking and a pioneer in creative thinking theory"
— Penguin Books
"Edward de Bono is credited with shaping modern techniques for innovation through his idea of lateral thinking"
— Toolshero
"Edward de Bono has written extensively on the power of creative thinking and how it can be systematically taught"
— Goodreads
"Edward de Bono developed the concept of 'Six Thinking Hats', revolutionizing how groups approach problem-solving"
— World of Books
"Edward de Bono's theories on thinking and perception have influenced education and business practices worldwide"
— Biblio
"Edward de Bono is famous for introducing practical methods like 'lateral thinking' to improve problem-solving"
— AZQuotes
"Edward de Bono's books, such as Lateral Thinking and Six Thinking Hats, are considered classics in the field of creative thinking"
— ThriftBooks
"Edward de Bono pioneered strategies to enhance creativity and effective decision-making in organizations"
— Penguin Books
"Edward de Bono’s work remains central to discussions of innovation, cognition, and educational reform"
— Toolshero
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
