THE BLACK HAT: CONSTRAINTS (FJ)

Typical Black Hat Questions

"Can we afford this?"

"How dangerous is this?"

"What if something goes wrong?"

"What's the worst-case scenario?"

Unlike the yellow hat, the black hat considers things in terms of cost and potential risks.

Black hat thinking is also logical, but without gloominess or cynicism. Even though black hat thinking is the kind of thinking usually called "critical," it should not be thought of as having harsh or reflexively negative connotations. The purpose of black hat thinking is simply to consider the potentially harmful consequences of some act or failure to act. (The internal emotional motivation of the black hat to view the world in terms of dangers and limitations is typical of the combined Myers-Briggs type preferences of "Feeling" and "Judging.")

In a perfect world, there would be no constraints on anything. But as this world is imperfect, it is necessary to consider what limited resources are available, as well as what harm might be done in using those resources. The black hat is therefore an important part of decision-making, offering analysis that presents the case for restraint and for the preservation of resources. Thus the black hat is considered an agent for stability, safety, and consolidation.