ABSTRACT

This introductory chapter begins with three related concepts: making observations, developing hypotheses from the observations, and then testing the hypotheses. This is followed by fundamental definitions of thinking and reasoning. Then the notions of induction and deduction, and the important ideas of educating to think and problemsolving are explored. A short transition into and through systems engineering is made. Four “better” ideas from special thinkers are followed by business-oriented ideas. Then, what all these ideas and people have in common are examined. Other steps in the process, as well as flaws in thinking,concludethe chapter.