Thinking Styles in the Quran PDF

THINKING STYLES 1 CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING (CTPS) UTK2012  LEARNING OUTCOMES 2 At the end of the topic, students are able to: Understand the various styles of thinking and their purpose Be aware of...

THINKING STYLES 1 CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING (CTPS) UTK2012  LEARNING OUTCOMES 2 At the end of the topic, students are able to: Understand the various styles of thinking and their purpose Be aware of the importance of styles of thinking in solving problems Be able to use different thinking styles to solve problems INTRODUCTION 3 Islam encourages creativity and creative thinking by various means and ways. According to Malik bin Nabi, the Quran is definitely able to create a new intellectual atmosphere that is conducive to the progress of different disciplines of sciences. Generating ideas in a society is a prerequisite for civilization, and the Quran is the source of ideas.  INTRODUCTION 4 The Quran frees the human mind from the domination of materialistic desires so that ‘aql may be adjusted to its original status. The Quran uses a variety of thinking styles to communicate its message to people with different cognitive preferences. Since human mind and its capability is Allah’s creation, every style is carefully and effectively used to fulfill certain objectives.  INTRODUCTION 5 Thinking styles are a way of thinking which we use/ prefer to use when applying our intelligence and knowledge to solve problems or undertaken a given course of actions.  INTRODUCTION 6 Purposes of thinking styles: To solve problem and make decisions more effectively. To look at various options and perspectives before making decision. To view a given problems more systematically. SIMILARITIES OF THINKING STYLES 7  1. INTUITIVE THINKING STYLE 8 It is related to insight and inspiration given to Muslims, who use their reason and intellect in the right manner, by the means of Allah’s revelation. It is characterized by the way we make a decision without having ample facts or information.  …continued 9 This style is used in four conditions: Whenever we have to make the decision even though we have no information at all on which to base a decision to be taken. Whenever we have a lot of information but the information is not relevant to the decision to be made. Whenever we can take more than one decision and every decision is either equally good or equally bad. Whenever we are in a hurry and do not have time to search for information.  2. SCIENTIFIC THINKING STYLE 10 The Quran enhances the thinking ability of a man in matters of natural sciences, so as to enable him to realize the greatness of Allah and to think for the betterment of ummah. Praising and enabling the pen and admiring acquisition of knowledge were among the first verses of the Quran.  …continued 11 Islam encourages the study of nature. Moreover, the Quran mentions certain scientific facts about heaven and earth, oceans, mountains, fetal stages and other matters that preceded scientific discoveries. 12 13 14 15 16 17  18 Jika Allah berkehendak menciptakan sesuatu, tidak perlu persiapan, research pendahuluan dan lain sebagainya sebagaimana bila manusia ingin menciptakan suatu produk. Tapi Allah Yang Maha Kuasa cukup bekata: Kun-Fayakun yang artinya jadilah maka jadilah dia. Begitu pula dalam penciptaan manusia. Allah sesungguhnya cukup mangatakan Kun-Fayakun, maka pasti dengan seketika terciptalah manusia. Tapi Allah ingin dalam penciptaan manusia itu berupa sesuatu proses yang dapat diterima akal manusia. Karena Allah berkali-kali di dalam Al Qur’an memerintahkan kepada manusia untuk berpikir, menggunakan akal sehatnya, maka Allah menciptakan manusia melalui proses yang kita kenal selama ini, yaitu melalui ayah dan ibu kita. Allah telah menciptakan manusia melalui empat macam proses. Tiga di antaranya adalah proses penciptaan yang sangat istimewa (special), dan hanya dapat dipahami dan dimengerti oleh orang-orang yang beriman kepada Allah, bahwa segala sesuatu bisa terjadi bila Allah menghendakinya. Ketiga jenis penciptaan ini, hanya terjadi sekali atau untuk satu orang saja untuk masing-masing penciptaan. Sedangkan yang satu macam penciptaan lagi adalah semua manusia yang diciptakan Allah selain dari yang tiga orang tadi, yaitu kita semua anak cucu Adam dan Hawa, yang prosesnya dapat diterima secara nalar oleh akal manusia. Dan dapat dipelajari oleh ilmu kedokteran. Inilah keempat macam proses penciptaan manusia tersebut:  19 1. Proses Kejadian Manusia Pertama (Nabi Adam) Di dalam Al Qur’an dijelaskan bahwa Adam diciptakan oleh Allah dari tanah yang kering kemudian dibentuk oleh Allah dengan bentuk yang sebaik- baiknya. Setelah sempurna maka oleh Allah ditiupkan ruh kepadanya maka dia menjadi hidup. Hal ini ditegaskan oleh Allah di dalam firman-Nya : “Yang membuat sesuatu yang Dia ciptakan sebaik-baiknya dan Yang memulai penciptaan manusia dari tanah”. (QS. As Sajdah : 7) “Dan sesungguhnya Kami telah menciptakan manusia (Adam) dari tanah liat kering (yang berasal) dari lumpur hitam yang diberi bentuk“. (QS. Al Hijr: 26) Disamping itu Allah juga menjelaskan secara rinci tentang penciptaan manusia pertama itu dalah surat Al Hijr ayat 28 dan 29. “Dan (ingatlah) ketika Tuhanmu berfirman kepada para malaikat : Sesungguhnya Aku akan menciptakan seorang manusia dari tanah liat kering (yang berasal) dari lumpur hitam yang diberi bentuk. Maka apabila Aku telah menyempurnakan kejadiannya, dan telah meniupkan kedalamnya ruh (ciptaan)-ku, maka tunduklah kamu kepadanya dengan bersujud” (QS. Al Hijr : 28-29) Di dalam sebuah Hadits Rasulullah saw bersabda : “Sesunguhnya manusia itu berasal dari Adam dan Adam itu (diciptakan) dari tanah”. (HR. Bukhari)  20 2. Proses Kejadian Manusia Kedua (Siti Hawa) Pada dasarnya segala sesuatu yang diciptakan oleh Allah di dunia ini selalu dalam keadaan berpasang-pasangan. Demikian halnya dengan manusia, Allah berkehendak menciptakan lawanjenisnya untuk dijadikan kawan hidup (isteri). Hal ini dijelaskan oleh Allah dalam salah sati firman- Nya : “Maha Suci Tuhan yang telah menciptakan pasangan-pasangan semuanya, baik dari apa yang ditumbuhkan oleh bumi dan dari diri mereka maupun dari apa yang tidak mereka ketahui” (QS. Yaasiin: 36) Adapun proses kejadian manusia kedua ini oleh Allah dijelaskan di dalam surat An Nisaa’ ayat 1 yaitu : “Hai sekalian manusia, bertaqwalah kepada Tuhanmu yang telah menciptakan kamu dari seorang diri, dan dari padanya Allah menciptakan isterinya, dan daripada keduanya Allah memperkembang-biakkan laki-laki dan perempuan yang sangat banyak...” (An Nisaa 1) Di dalam salah satu Hadits yang diriwayatkan oleh Bukhari dan Muslim dijelaskan : “Maka sesungguhnya perempuan itu diciptakan dari tulang rusuk Adam” (HR. Bukhari-Muslim) Apabila kita amati proses kejadian manusia kedua ini, maka secara tak langsung hubungan manusia laki-laki dan perempuan melalui perkawinan adalah usaha untuk menyatukan kembali tulang rusuk yang telah dipisahkan dari tempat semula dalam bentuk yang lain. Dengan perkawinan itu maka akan lahirlah keturunan yang akan meneruskan generasinya. 3.Proses Kejadian Manusia Ketiga Nabi Isa Putra Maryam Narasi Qur’an tentang Isa dimulai dari kelahiran Maryam sebagai putri dari Imran, berlanjut dengan tumbuh kembangnya dalam asuhan Zakariya, serta kelahiran Yahya. Kemudian Al Qur’an menceritakan kejaiban kelahiran Isa sebagai anak Maryam tanpa ayah atas kenedak Allah, bukan 21 disentuh laki-laki. dengan perzinahan dengan seorang laki-laki, karena Maryam sendiri tidak pernah Ingatlah ketikan Malaikat berkata: “Hai Maryam, sesungguhnya Allah menggembirakan kamu dengan kelahiran seorang putra yang diciptakan dengan Kalimat yang datang daripada-Nya, namanya Al Masih Isa putra Maryam, seoarang terkemuka di dunia dan di akhirat dan termasuk orang- orang yang didekatkan kepada Allah” (Ali Imran 45) Muslim percaya pada konsep kesucian Maryam, yang telah diceritakan dalam beberapa ayat dalam Al Qur’an. Menurut kisah di Al-Qur’an, Maryam selalu beribadah dan telah dikunjungi oleh Malaikat Jibril. Jibril mengatakan kepada Maryam tentang akan diberikan calon anak yang bernama Isa, Maryam sangat terkejut, karena ia telah bersumpah untuk menjaga kesuciannya kepada Allah dan tetap mempertahankan hal itu dan bagaimana pula dia bisa hamil tanpa seorang lelaki atau suami, lalu Jibril menenangkan Maryam dan mengatakan bahwa perkara ini adalah perkara yang mudah bagi Allah, yang ingin membuat dia sebagai tanda untuk manusia dan rahmat dari-Nya. Seperti halnya dalam konsep penciptaan Adam tanpa ibu dan bapak. Pembicaraan mereka terekam dalam salah satu surah didalam Al-Qur’an: “Jibril berkata: “Demikianlah Tuhan-mu berfirman: Hal itu mudah bagi-Ku, dan agar dapt Kami menjadiknnya suatu tanda bagi manusia dan sebgai Rahmat dari Kami, dan hal itu adalah suatu perkara yang telah diputuskan” (Maryam 21) Beberapa ayat lain terkait dengan kelahiran Isa antara lain: “Sesungguhnya penciptaan Isa di sisi Allah adalah seperti penciptaan Adam. Allah menciptakan Adam darai tanah, kemudian Allah berfirman kepaadanya: “Jadilah”, maka jadilah dia” (Ali Imran 59). Juga Allah berfiramn: “Dan ingtalah kisah Maryam yang telah memelihara kehormatnnya, lalu Kami tiupkan ruh dari Kami ke dalam tubuhnya, dan Kami jadikan dia dan anknya tanda Kekuasaan Allah yang besar bagi semesta alam” (Al Anbiya 21) Setelah Isa berada didalam rahimnya, Maryam lalu mengasingkan diri dari keluarganya ke suatu tempat di sebelah timur. Disana ia melahirkan dan beristirahat di dekat sebuah batang pohon kurma. Isa kemudian berbicara memerintahkan ibunya dari buaian, untuk mengguncangkan pohon untuk mengambil buah-buah yang berjatuhan, dan juga untuk menghilangkan rasa takut Maryam dari lingkungan sekelilingnya Maryam berzinah, kemudian Maryam menunjuk kepada anaknya yang baru lahir itu, maka Isa pun menjawab Sesungguhnya aku ini hamba Allah, Dia memberiku Alkitab (Injil) dan Dia menjadikan aku seorang nabi; dan Dia menjadikan aku seorang yang diberkati di mana saja aku berada dan Dia memerintahkan kepadaku (mendirikan) salat dan (menunaikan) zakat selama aku hidup; dan berbakti kepada ibuku, dan Dia tidak menjadikan aku seorang yang sombong lagi celaka”. (Maryam: 30-32)  22 4. Proses Kejadian Manusia Keempat (semua keturunan Adam dan Hawa) Kejadian manusia ketiga adalah kejadian semua keturunan Adam dan Hawa kecuali Nabi Isa a.s. Dalam proses ini disamping dapat ditinjau menurut Al Qur’an dan Al Hadits dapat pula ditinjau secara medis. Allah berfirman:”Dan Dia-lah yang menciptakan kamu dari seorang diri, maka bagimu ada tempat tetap dan tempat simpanan. Sesungguhnya telah Kami jelaskan tanda-tanda kebesaran Kami kepada orang-orang yang nengetahui” (Al Anam 98) Di dalam Al Qur’an proses kejadian manusia secara biologis dejelaskan secara terperinci melalui firman-Nya: “Dan sesungguhnya Kami telah menciptakan manusia itu dari suatu saripati (berasal) dari tanah. Kemudian Kami jadikan saripati itu air mani (yang disimpan) dalam tempat yang kokoh (rahim). Kemudian air mani itu Kami jadikan segumpal darah, lalu segumpal darah itu kami jadikan segumpal daging, dan segumpal daging itu Kami jadikan tulang belulang, lalu tulang belulang itu Kami bungkus dengan daging. Kamudian Kami jadikan ia makhluk yang (berbentuk) lain. Maka Maha Sucilah Allah , Pencipta Yang Paling Baik.” (QS. Al Mu’minuun : 12-14). Kemudian dalam salah satu hadits Rasulullah SAW bersabda : “Telah bersabda Rasulullah SAW dan dialah yang benar dan dibenarkan. Sesungguhnya seorang diantara kamu dikumpulkannya pembentukannya (kejadiannya) dalam rahim ibunya (embrio) selama empat puluh hari. Kemudian selama itu pula (empat puluh hari) dijadikan segumpal darah. Kemudian selama itu pula (empat puluh hari) dijadikan sepotong daging. Kemudian diutuslah beberapa malaikat untuk meniupkan ruh kepadanya (untuk menuliskan/menetapkan) empat kalimat (macam) : rezekinya, ajal (umurnya), amalnya, dan buruk baik (nasibnya).” (HR. Bukhari-Muslim)  23 Ungkapan ilmiah dari Al Qur’an dan Hadits 15 abad silam telah menjadi bahan penelitian bagi para ahli biologi untuk memperdalam ilmu tentang organ-organ jasad manusia. Selanjutnya yang dimaksud di dalam Al Qur’an dengan “saripati berasal dari tanah” sebagai substansi dasar kehidupan manusia adalah protein, sari-sari makanan yang kita makan yang semua berasal dan hidup dari tanah. Yang kemudian melalui proses metabolisme yang ada di dalam tubuh diantaranya menghasilkan hormon (sperma), kemudian hasil dari pernikahan (hubungan seksual), maka terjadilah pembauran antara sperma (lelaki) dan ovum (sel telur wanita) di dalam rahim. Kemudian berproses hingga mewujudkan bentuk manusia yang sempurna (seperti dijelaskan dalam ayat diatas). Para ahli dari Barat baru menemukan masalah pertumbuhan embrio secara bertahap pada tahun 1940 dan baru dibuktikan pada tahun 1955, tetapi dalam Al Qur’an dan Hadits yang diturunkan 15 abad lalu hal ini sudah tercantum. Ini sangat mengagumkan bagi salah seorang embriolog terkemuka dari Amerika yaitu Prof. Dr. Keith Moore, beliau mengatakan : “Saya takjub pada keakuratan ilmiyah pernyataan Al Qur’an yang diturunkan pada abad ke-7 M itu”. Selain itu beliau juga mengatakan, “Dari ungkapan Al Qur’an dan hadits banyak mengilhami para scientist (ilmuwan) sekarang untuk mengetahui perkembangan hidup manusia yang diawali dengan sel tunggal (zygote) yang terbentuk ketika ovum (sel kelamin betina) dibuahi oleh sperma (sel kelamin jantan). Kesemuanya itu belum diketahui oleh Spalanzani sampai dengan eksperimennya pada abad ke-18, demikian pula ide tentang perkembangan yang dihasilkan dari perencanaan genetik dari kromosom zygote belum ditemukan sampai akhir abad ke-19. Tetapi jauh ebelumnya Al Qur’an telah menegaskan dari nutfah Dia (Allah) menciptakannya dan kemudian (hadits menjelaskan bahwa Allah) menentukan sifat-sifat dan nasibnya.” Sebagai bukti yang konkrit di dalam penelitian ilmu genetika (janin) bahwa selama embriyo berada di dalam kandungan ada tiga selubung yang menutupinya yaitu dinding abdomen (perut) ibu, dinding uterus (rahim), dan lapisan tipis amichirionic (kegelapan di dalam perut, kegelapan dalam rahim, dan kegelapan dalam selaput yang menutup/membungkus anak dalam rahim). Hal ini ternyata sangat cocok dengan apa yang dijelaskan oleh Allah di dalam Al Qur’an : "Dia menjadikan kamu dalam perut ibumu kejadian demi kejadian dalam tiga kegelapan (kegelapan dalam perut, kegelapan dalam rahim, dan kegelapan dalam selaput yang menutup anak dalam rahim)…” (QS. Az Zumar: 6). Wallahu ‘alam bisawab Sumber : Diadaptasi dari website info islam  …continued 24 Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe? And We have placed on the earth firm mountains, lest it should shake with them, and We placed therein broad highways for them to pass through, that they may be guided. And We have made the heaven a roof, safe and well guarded. Yet they turn away from its signs (i.e. sun, moon, winds, clouds, etc.). And He it is Who has created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each in an orbit floating. (al-Anbiya’: 30-33) 25 26  …continued 27 Scientific thinking style from the Western perspective comprises four components: objective, hypothesis, data collection, and verification. …continued 28  3. RATIONAL THINKING STYLE 29 Rational means having the faculty of reasoning, endowed with the reason, exercising one’s reason in a proper manner and having sound judgement.  …continued 30 The meanings of rationality: Conceptual rationality (minimizing fuzziness and imprecision). Logical rationality (striving for consistency and avoiding contradiction). Methodological rationality (questioning, doubting and criticizing, justifying and demanding proof or evidence). Epistemological rationality (caring for empirical support and avoiding conjecture). Ontological rationality (adapting a constant world view compatible with the bulk of the S & T of the day). Valuation rationality (striving for goals). Practical rationality (adapting means that are likely to help attain the goals in view).  …continued 31 The purposes of Quranic rational thinking: Proving and affirming the existence of Allah and His Oneness. (al-Anbiya’: 22; al-Mukminun: 91) Proving and affirming the day of judgement. (al-Rum: 27; al-Qiyamah: 3-5) Attacking the faulty reasoning on the existence of Allah, the hereafter and refuting misconceptions. (al-Tur: 35-36)  …continued 32 The purposes of Quranic rational thinking: Proving and affirming the existence of Allah and His Oneness. (al-Anbiya’: 22; al-Mukminun: 91) Proving and affirming the day of judgment. (al-Rum: 27; al-Qiyamah: 3-5) Attacking the faulty reasoning on the existence of Allah, the hereafter and refuting misconceptions. (al-Tur: 35-36) …continued 33  4. PERCEPTUAL THINKING STYLE 34 It is related to human’s perception about the world. The Qur’an comes to establish new perception about some matters and to change man’s existing perception of some other matters.  …continued 35 A few thinking skills to sharpen and expand the perception: Identifying various possibilities to explain things. Considering all the factors involved in anything. Seeing things from different points of view. Considering what is good, bad and interesting in something. Identifying major and minor priorities in a matter or situation. Identifying goals and objectives of an action and idea. Predicting various causes and sequences of an action. Distinguishing between opinion and fact. Making predictions and expectations. Making hypotheses. Considering views and opinions of other parties regarding the subject matter. Perception 36 Perception 37  5. EMOTIONAL THINKING STYLE 38 It is an emphatic thinking which highlights the care and mercy of Allah towards His servants. It is used to touch the heart of readers or listeners al-Nisa’: 27 Taha: 81  …continued 39 The Western thinkers stated that emotive thinking style is characterized by the use of different emotions or feelings, whether positive or negative, as the basis for making an opinion or decision. It is used to answer questions such as what she likes and why, what she hates and why, what is considered valuable and why, what is suspected and why, what is appreciated and why, and what is scolded and why. …continued 40  6. POSITIVE THINKING STYLE 41 Islam encourages man to be optimistic and discourages any way of pessimism. Being optimistic highlights the significance of being positive. It is the ability to see the good, the usefulness and benefits of something.  …continued 42 Positive thinking is divided into the following aspects: Not to lose in Allah’s mercy (Yusuf: 87) To have hope and trust in Allah’s guidance and help to us (Ali ‘Imran: 154) The concept of reliance (tawakkal) upon Allah (Ali ‘Imran: 159) The concept of al-qadar if taken in its correct interpretation (al-Hadid: 22-23)  Thinking Styles in the Quran Thinking styles in the Qur’an entail many qualities. Nevertheless, several thinking styles are selected for further43 discussion study and they are: Inquisitive Thinking Intuitive Thinking* Scientific Thinking* Objective Thinking Rational Thinking* Analogical Thinking Perceptual Thinking* Conceptual Thinking Emotional Thinking* Metaphorical Thinking Positive Thinking* * as discussed earlier. i. INQUISITIVE THINKING STYLES 44 Asking questions is one of the most effective tools in teaching and learning. It leads to new ideas and concepts. Provoking questions can be noted as a general phenomenon in the Quran to invoke people to think. More than 1,200 questions can be found in the Quran for different purposes.  …continued 45 Three types of question in the Qur’an: Questions, where the answer is given to provide new information. Questions, where the answer is already clear to the reader, but the objective is to remind or to affirm facts. Questions, where the answer is not given to initiate thinking and reflection. Examples of questions and its purposes: 46 Affirming belief Glorifying Allah (Fatir: 3) (al-Baqarah: 255) Creating certainty Scolding the transgressors (al-Baqarah: 258) (al-Mulk: 8, an-Nisa’: 95) Cautioning the reader Disapproving (ar-Ra’d: 16) (al-Baqarah: 28, Yunus: 59) Raising doubts about false Cautioning mankind to past beliefs that lead astray human history (Fatir: 44) (Yunus: 35) (Fatir: 44)  ii. OBJECTIVE THINKING STYLE 47 Objectivity means expressing claims and judgements based on proofs and evidence; based on certainty and not on doubt to avoid bias or personal interests or whims.  …continued 48 The division of objective style of thinking: Seeking evidence to prove a claim (al-Baqarah: 111; an-Naml: 64). Warning us not to rely on conjecture (Yunus: 36; an-Najm: 23). Warning us not to be misled by desires, personal interests, prejudices and bias (an-Nisa’: 135). Condemning blind following and fanaticism even in ibadah (al-Maidah: 104).  iii. ANALOGICAL THINKING STYLE 49 This style of thinking uses similes in order to indicate similarity of characteristics common between the two things. Analogical thinking can upgrade our intellect and broaden our perception once used in a proper manner.  …continued 50 The analogical thinking is used in the Qur’an in the following ways: Discouraging polytheism, hypocrisy and disbelief by revealing the consequences of their deeds in the Hereafter. (al-Nur: 39; Ibrahim: 18) Making a comparison of good words (i.e. word of Tawhid) and bad words (i.e. words of disbelief). (Ibrahim: 24-25) Making a comparison between faith and ignorance. (Saba’: 19-21)  …continued 51 FOOTBALL CHEETAH PLAYERS …continued 52  iv. CONCEPTUAL THINKING STYLE 53 Two categories of conceptual thinking: Conceptual expansion It is to construct, stretch, extend, modify and refine concepts to fit new situations and thus creating new meanings.  …continued 54 Two categories of conceptual thinking: Examples of conceptual expansion Previous time Islam The concept of worship Religious ritual acts & All the actions that religious good deeds please Allah Fasting To refrain from To refrain from eating, something drinking, sexual intercourse and its related activities from sunrise until sunset during the month of Ramadan  …continued 55 Conceptual combination Combination of two concepts together to produce a new idea or meaning where a non-existent concept is brought into being. Examples: The rope of Allah/ Habl Allah (al-’Imran: 10) The garment of Allah-conciousness/ Taqwa (al- Baqarah: 187 & 197; al-A‘raf: 26)  v. METAPHORICAL THINKING STYLE 56 The analogy or comparison of two things that in fact do not have anything in common. It seeks parallels, commonalities or paradoxical connections between two things.  …continued 57 Among the purposes of using parables are: Stressing and affirming the Oneness of Allah (az- Zumar: 29) Proving something which is beyond the reach of human perception such as resurrection (Fussilat: 39) Encouraging and promoting good deeds (al-Baqarah: 261) Warning us not to be misled by our life’s materialistic temptations (al-Hadid: 20)  Western Styles Of Thinking 58 Lateral Thinking Positive Thinking* Creative Thinking Negative Thinking Critical Thinking Value-Based Thinking Analytical Thinking Proactive Thinking Constructive Thinking Reactive Thinking Pragmatic Thinking Historic Thinking Systematic Thinking Mathematic Thinking * as discussed earlier.  i. LATERAL THINKING STYLE 59 The concept was introduced by Edward de Bono in 1967. It means a way of thinking that involve multiple parallel approach.  …continued 60 Linear Thinking vs. Lateral Thinking  …continued 61 With 'parallel thinking' both sides (or all parties) are thinking in parallel in the same direction. Every moment each thinker is thinking in parallel with all the other thinkers but there does not have to be agreement. Statements or thoughts which are indeed contradictory are not argued out but laid down in parallel. In the final stage the way forward is 'designed' from the parallel thought that have been laid out.  …continued 62 Lateral thinking forces the mind to think through the problem in many different ways, later thinking leads to a wide variety of great ideas to choose from. It deliberately analyzes and re-analyzes situations in alternative ways. Lateral thinking produces an idea that best suits the project goals because the process has exhausted every possibility. Example of Lateral Thinking: Mind mapping 63 Example of Lateral Thinking: Six Thinking Hat 64  ii. CREATIVE THINKING STYLE 65 This thinking is a way of thinking that generates something new or different. involves having a different idea that works as well or better than previous ideas. is generative and divergent in nature. involves looking at something from various angles and possibilities to create various new perceptions, concepts, ideas, designs, strategies, tactics, hypotheses, rules, theories, new ways of solving and easing conflicts. What Constitute A Creative Idea? 66 New Unique Strange Interesting Beneficial  Tips to Enhance Creative Thinking 67 Find your own a time period where your creativity is “Creative Period” at its peak and “Creative Trigger” Find a friend and who could be your “sounding board” companions Leave whatever problem you are Refresh yourselves thinking for a while Use the Web to help Yahoo it, Google it, Altavista it, you generate and Youtube it, Bing it, Flickr it, Wiki it, diverged your ideas Vimeo it  Tips to Enhance Creative Thinking 68 Attend talks, seminars, courses, forums and discussions regarding ways to enhance your thinking skills Always consume good food for the brain and its growth Make friends with those who are creative. Read materials about creativity Use Creative Thinking Tools Five (5) Classic Creativity Methods Reverse Brainstorming Lotus Blossom Technique  iii. CRITICAL THINKING STYLE 69 It is a way of thinking that asseses the worth and validity od something in existent. It involves precise, persistent and objective analysis. It is focused and convergent in nature. It is a type of thinking which processes information around a common point – an attempt to bring thoughts from different directions into a union or common conclusion  …continued 70 It is used: To identify, analyze and evaluate arguments and truth claims. To discover and overcome personal prejudice and biases. To formulate and present convincing reasons in support of conclusions. To make reasonable, intelligent decisions about what to believe and what to do.  …continued 71 Critical Thinking Creative Thinking  Analytic  Generative  Convergent  Divergent  Vertical  Lateral  Probability  Possibility  Judgment  Suspended judgment  Focused  Diffuse  Objective  Subjective  Answer  An answer  Left brain  Right brain  Verbal  Visual Linear  Associative  Reasoning  Richness or Novelty  …continued 72 Tips to Be an expert in the fields you need to be critical about Enhance Critical Thinking Learn from individuals who are good in asking sound, critical questions In every issues, try to ‘hear’ more than merely receiving from both sides of the story Learn to ‘read’ and understand what is explicit and what is implicit Use the web to learn more about critical thinking style Attend talks, seminars, courses, forums and discussions regarding ways to improve and then enhance your thinking skills Use Critical Thinking Guideline  iv. ANALYTICAL THINKING STYLE 73 The abstract separation of a whole into its constituent parts in order to study the parts and their relations. Separating and distinguishing elements of a concept, idea, problem and issue in order to understand its essential nature and inner relationships.  …continued 74 It is based on logical thinking as it focuses on information and facts. It involves breaking a given issue/ problem into smaller components so that we are able to examine each of the components in detail. It is suitable to be used in making analysis and criticisms. It is not suitable to be used to create new ideas.  …continued 75 Tips to Enhance Analytical Thinking Breakdown big issues into their component parts. Ask those involve in the issue what are their main concerns regarding the issue and what are the supporting ideas Categorize components of the issue into appropriate and suitable sub-heading or grouping Learn to separate facts from opinions, fictions, unproved hypotheses, and hearsay Learn to separate facts into three categories – important, unimportant, totally irrelevant Attend talks, seminars, courses, forums and discussions regarding ways to enhance your thinking skills Use Analytical Tools Journalistic Six or 5W+1H Fishbone or Ishikawa or Cause and Effect Diagram …continued 76  …continued 77 No Journalistic Examples. Six 5W+1H 1 What? (An What is the real issue? What is the problem? What is your goal? Act) What is it that you want to achieve? What really happened? What went wrong? What is the current situation? 2 Where? (A Where did it happen? Where are we now? Where do we want to Scene or go? Where do we find what we need? The Source) 3 When? (Time When will it happen? When did it happen? When is the most or Timing) suitable time? When will it finish? 4 Why? Why did it happen? Why should we act? Why are they so (Purpose or successful? Why did we fail? Objectives) 5 Who? (Actor Who is involved? Who is the stakeholders? Who did it? Who is or Agent) the victim? Who benefit from this? Who is the expert on this matter? 6 How? (The How did it happen? How can we prevent it? How could we achieve Methods) our goals? How could we improve on this?  Journalistic Six 5W+1H 78 By using 5W+1H Tool, analyze this statement and give your best recommendation on how should the Government of Malaysia handle this matter? “Today, there is too many legal and illegal immigrants (not to mention refugees) in Malaysia, to the point where by, all the natural resources available is not sufficient enough to cater for the well-being of the people in this country” Fishbone / Ishikawa / Cause and Effect Diagram 79 Fishbone / Ishikawa / Cause and Effect Diagram 80  Fishbone / Ishikawa / Cause and Effect Diagram 81 An analytical tool to identify the possible causes of a particular issue an breaking it down to several distinctive groupings that would be easier to manage and solve The possible groupings are: The 7 M’s [Man, Machine, Material, Method, Management, Maintenance, Environment] The 8 P's [Price, Promotion, People, Processes, Place / Plant, Policies, Procedures & Product (or Service)] (recommended for administration and service industry) The 4 S's [Surroundings, Suppliers, Systems, Skills] (recommended for service industry)  v. CONSTRUCTIVE THINKING STYLE 82 It aims at: Improving, strengthening, or correcting an idea or an action. Preventing risks or losses. Ensuring that an idea can be implemented. Avoiding from the causes that may lead to failures. It is used after thinking critically and negatively Constructive Thinking is in fact the key to emotional intelligence  …continued 83 Constructive thinking style is used after thinking critically and negatively. Prior to understand constructive thinking, it is essential to understand emotions. One thing that most people don't realize is that their emotions are affected by the manner in which they see the circumstances, not the circumstances themselves. Constructive thinking should be thought of as a way in which you think constructively about the world around you. Instead of allowing yourself to react to the events that occur in your life, you will first learn to interpret these events. The key to constructive thinking is understanding that interpretations often will have an influence on your emotions.  …continued 84 Constructive thinking is in fact the key to emotional intelligence. Seeks to: Prevent risks or losses. Improve, strengthen, enhance or correct an idea or action. Ensure that an idea can be implemented. Avoiding from the causes that may lead to failures.  vi. PRAGMATIC THINKING STYLE 85 It focuses on the practical aspects of things. It gives priority to ideas that can be implemented as opposed to ideas that look good may not be difficult to implement. It can be used to evaluate a given idea.  …continued 86 The main elements of pragmatic thinking are: Practical. Realistic. Sensible. Suitable.  …continued 87 The characteristics of pragmatic thinking styleare: Prioritize ideas that can be implemented. Place ideas appropriate to the circumstances and situations. Think of what to do if the unexpected happens. Look at various aspects of the problem and solve it one by one. Look at an idea from the point of short-term profit.  CONCLUSION 88 There are various thinking styles either mentioned in the Qur'an or introduced by Western thinkers. Thinking styles in Islam and the West incorporate many qualities. Each and every thinking style has its own strength and can be used in any appropriate circumstances, issues and problems.  CONCLUSION 89 In fact, this thinking style can be used simultaneously whenever it suits the circumstances. In addition, the use of various thinking styles that are coupled with several thinking tools can help man to think in an optimum way and this will lead to problem solving. 90 91