The Origins of Creativity - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198507151 ISBN 13: 9780198507154

Publisher: Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2001

Synopsis

After Newton died in 1727, a monument was erected in the Scientist's Corner of Westminster Abbey. It was decorated with a pile of four books and adorned with cherubs holding a prism, a telescope and newly minted coins. The implication is clear. Newton's towering intellect and god-given gift for creative thinking was the origin of his inspiration. Not far away, at the front of the monument to Newton, is the tomb of Charles Darwin, who published On the Origin of Species, which first discussed the evolution of man. The proximity of the monuments is telling. If we are to define the single, most unique human attribute evolution has produced, it must be our ability to think creatively. Thinking is the ultimate human resource. Breaking through the barriers posed by dogma, and reaching beyond the limits of established patterns of thinking to discover what is new and useful is the engine that drives society. This book, which had its genesis in a conference organized by Karl Pfenninger, and held at Aspen, Colorado, entitled 'Higher brain function, art and science: an interdisciplinary examination of the creative process', brings together articles by thirteen contributors from the fields of science, art and music. Two of the contributors have been awarded Nobel prizes, and all are distinguished representatives of their fields. The Origins of Creativity is organized around four central themes of creativity: the creative experience in art and science; the biological basis of imagination, emotion and reason; creative powers and the environment; and the mind's perception of patterns. The views of artists, who couch their ideas in more metaphorical language, mingle with the analytical thoughts of scientists who strive to understand how the brain generates images and ideas. The voices of creators - artist, scientist, mathematician - and of those who study creative activity - neuroscientist, psychologist, philosopher - generate a broad spectrum of views on creativity whose integration offers new insights and becomes a creative act in itself. This book offers insights into the origins of human creativity to scientists, artists, and general readers. Its inter-disciplinary authorship presents a uniquely broad perspective on current research, and the style throughout is accessible and engaging.

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Review

"The contributions vary from personal reminiscences to summaries of a life's work. The very wide variety of approaches - experiences in art and science, the biological basis and brain mechanisms of creativity, emotion and reason, the role of the environment, perception of patterns - reflects the lack of an accepted paradigm for considering creativity. The book ends with an editorial synthesis and critique of the contributions. Perhaps this will make the reader question the notion of creativity." -- Richard Gregory, Nature, Vol 410, 26 Apr 2001 "This is a stimulating collection of effectively marshalled papers arising from a conference of distinguished contributors, including Nobel Prize winners."--School Science Review "The contributions vary from personal reminiscences to summaries of a life's work. The very wide variety of approaches - experiences in art and science, the biological basis and brain mechanisms of creativity, emotion and reason, the role of the environment, perception of patterns - reflects the lack of an accepted paradigm for considering creativity. The book ends with an editorial synthesis and critique of the contributions. Perhaps this will make the reader question the notion of creativity." -- Richard Gregory, Nature, Vol 410, 26 Apr 2001 "This is a stimulating collection of effectively marshalled papers arising from a conference of distinguished contributors, including Nobel Prize winners."--School Science Review "The contributions vary from personal reminiscences to summaries of a life's work. The very wide variety of approaches - experiences in art and science, the biological basis and brain mechanisms of creativity, emotion and reason, the role of the environment, perception of patterns - reflects the lack of an accepted paradigm for considering creativity. The book ends with an editorial synthesis and critique of the contributions. Perhaps this will make the reader question the notion of creativity." -- Richard Gregory, Nature, Vol 410, 26 Apr 2001 "This is a stimulating collection of effectively marshalled papers arising from a conference of distinguished contributors, including Nobel Prize winners."--School Science Review "The contributions vary from personal reminiscences to summaries of a life's work. The very wide variety of approaches - experiences in art and science, the biological basis and brain mechanisms of creativity, emotion and reason, the role of the environment, perception of patterns - reflects the lack of an accepted paradigm for considering creativity. The book ends with an editorial synthesis and critique of the contributions. Perhaps this will make the reader question the notion of creativity." -- Richard Gregory, Nature, Vol 410, 26 Apr 2001 "This is a stimulating collection of effectively marshalled papers arising from a conference of distinguished contributors, including Nobel Prize winners."--School Science Review

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, Oxford
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198507151
• ISBN 13: 9780198507154
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 268
• Editor: Karl H. Pfenninger, Valerie R. Shubik