Creativity in Science
Chance, Logic, Genius, and Zeitgeist

Chance, logic, genius, and zeitgeist perspectives are integrated into a theory of creativity in science.

Dean Keith Simonton (Author)

9780521835794, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 May 2004

234 pages, 11 b/w illus. 3 tables
23.5 x 16 x 2 cm, 0.52 kg

"Simonton is a very clear writer, and the empirical support he marshals is impressive. Although the book begins with an advisement of mathematical formulae to be used, Simonton does not bog the reader down with equations. Instead, he affirms the superiority of the change approach as an overarching explanation to scientific creativity with a thorough account of how the causal predictions based on the logic, genius, and zeitgeist perspectives ultimately contradict available data."
-Christopher H. Ramey, Department of Psychology, Florida Southern College, Philosophical Psychology

Psychologists, 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.

Preface
1. Introduction: scientific creativity
2. Creative products
3. Combinatorial processes
4. Scientific activity
5. Creative scientists
6. Scientific discovery
7. Consolidation: creativity in science
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Cognition & cognitive psychology [JMR]