Creativity in Science

It may be surprising to see science and creativity coupled because science is often considered a quantitative field, empirically based, where experiments are performed, data are collected, and conclusions drawn, whereas creativity conjures ideas of unbridled expression and artistic license. In fact, however, many great discoveries in science occurred because someone took a novel approach to solving a problem. The idea of thinking outside the box, actually playing with ideas rather than following a prescribed set of rules, has figured in the development of new cures, cutting-edge technology, and important scientific discoveries. In science, creativity can be a process, product, content, or personality condition that facilitates problem solving. For example, the story is often told that Albert Einstein finalized his theory of special relativity after ...