Creativity in Science: Chance, Logic, Genius, and ZeitgeistPsychologists, sociologists, philosophers, historians - and even scientists themselves - have often tried to decipher the basis for creativity in science. Some have attributed creativity to a special logic, the so-called scientific method, whereas others have pointed to the inspirations of genius or to the inevitable workings of the zeitgeist. Finally, some have viewed scientific breakthroughs as the product of chance, as witnessed in the numerous episodes of serendipity. Too often these four alternative interpretations are seen as mutually exclusive. Yet the central thesis of this book is that the chance, logic, genius, and zeitgeist perspectives can be integrated into a single coherent theory of creativity in science. But for this integration to succeed, change must be elevated to the status of primary cause. Logic, genius and the zeitgeist still have significant roles to play but mainly operate insofar as they enhance, or constrain the operation of a chance combinatorial process. |
Contents
Introduction Scientific Creativity | 1 |
Creative Products | 14 |
Combinatorial Processes | 40 |
Scientific Activity | 76 |
Creative Scientists | 99 |
Scientific Discovery | 137 |
Consolidation Creativity in Science | 160 |
185 | |
211 | |
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Creativity in Science: Chance, Logic, Genius, and Zeitgeist Dean Keith Simonton No preview available - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
activity Albert Einstein appears artistic creators associative richness ative behavior career course chance perspective Chapter Charles Darwin cognitive Cole combinatorial process constraints contrast contributions correlation creative process creative products creative scientists creativity in science criteria Darwin defined disciplinary zeitgeist disciplines discoveries and inventions discovery programs diverse domain Einstein eminent empirical equal-odds rule equation example experiences experimental fact factors Feist genetic genius perspective given goals Hence heuristics high-impact hit rate ideas ideational combinations impact insight problems instance Journal of Personality Kepler's Third Law laws Leibniz logic Lotka's law mathematical metasciences multiple discoveries multiple grades Newton Nobel Nobel Prize operate paradigmatic Paul Dirac peer review phenomena photoelectric effect Poisson distribution predicted probabilistic problem solving projects psychoticism publication random research programs sample scientific careers scientific creativity scientific discovery scientific genius Scientometrics serendipity Simon Simonton sociocultural solution techniques tend theoretical theory tions total number total output tradition variables zeitgeist perspective