Concept of the method
2. Identifying 6 thinking hats
2.1. White hat
White hat is neutral therefore it represents facts and figures.
It is sort of role playing a computer, as the computer gives only facts and figures without interpretation or giving opinion. If one is asking question under white hat, they should be focused on obtaining information or to fill in the information gaps. When presenting facts, it must also be clear if this is a fact or a belief?
“Much of what passes for fact is simply a comment made in good faith or is a matter of personal belief at that certain moment. (…) It is not possible to check everything with the rigor demanded of a scientific experiment. Therefor in practice we establish a sort of two-tier system: believed facts and checked facts. It is believed to put forward believed facts under white hat thinking, but we must make it absolutely clear that these are second-class facts.”[1] It is also important to assess the likelihood of a fact ranging from “always true” to “never true” and the whole spectrum in between. Such facts can be put under white hat provided that the likelihood is noted. To summarise, white hat thinking is a discipline and direction. One concentrates on being neutral and objective while presenting information. The hat can be put on and taken off whenever needed.
