How does freedom enhance creativity?

Answer 1

It can enhance it, but not always. I think that it can enhance it by allowing for personal choice for expression. Without fear of judgment or persecution, the freedom of expression can flourish and expand into areas unimaginable in a restricted environment.

However, I would be remiss if I didn't counter-argue, citing Theodore Roethke. "Sometimes an apparent constraint can serve to free the imagination". When there are apparent barriers to expression, creativity is needed in order to express oneself well within the boundaries set. An excellent example of this is form poetry. In maintaining a form (such as a sonnet), one is restricted by meter and rhyme scheme. A poet cannot simply do "whatever they choose" and is forced to be MORE imaginative and creative in order to accomplish their goals under these constraints.

Answer 2

I think that you could argue that while it could enhance creativity, it could also stifle it.

Removing constraints or restrictions helps creativity. Think of the analogy between the US and China, for example. The freedoms Americans enjoy, in particular, the freedom to be capitalists, are responsible for much of the technological innovation that Americans are known for. In contrast, because of China's history and government censorship, creativity in China has long been suppressed and is only recently manifesting itself as the country becomes an economic superpower.

But, freedom sometimes also stifles creativity. Often, when people are given a choice as to how to proceed in tackling a problem, people will follow the tried-and-true or easier methods. Therefore, no innovation or new thinking is created. Sometimes, we need some pressure or constraints in order to think "outside the box" and come up with a way around restrictions placed on us. You've probably heard the saying "necessity is the mother of invention." Same line of thought. The analogy that comes to mind here is how the American Civil War and First World War were fought in contrast to later wars. For a long time, battles were fought with massed ranks of advancing troops. As technology improved, the killing power of guns increased rapidly and huge numbers of soldiers were killed largely due to outmoded tactics. Military thinkers were forced to learn from these painful lessons and come up with new tactics to fight subsequent wars.

Answer 3

An unhindered, uncensored, open environment leaves you with an infinite range of possibilities in expressing yourself. There is no limitation in how your thoughts roam wild and free, and translate into creative works.
But then lack of freedom can also lead to creativity. The mind will always seek an avenue for self expression and liberation. Great works of creativity abound from people who have been held in captivity. Sometimes moments of anguish suffering and sorrow unleash the creative spirit.

Answer 4

That's a fallacy. Freedom doesn't enhance creativity. No matter how you slice it, there are rules in this world (like gravity). Those who are truly creative are the ones who recognize that there are rules, define what the rules are, and figure out how to create something that does what they want it to do while still obeying the rules (like the airplane).

Answer 5

To be creative is to expand your mind; to think freely with minimal preoccupations. The less preoccupations you have, the more you are able to think clearly. The more you are able to think clearly, the more creative you can be. Freedom releases your mind from the restrictions that could hamper your clear thinking. Therefore, freedom enhances creativity.

Answer 6

When individual freedom is repressed the first loss of freedom seems to come from the loss of right to individual or different opinions from the norm. When this happens creativity is lost due to its inability to do whatever might come to the artist. When a person must follow many rules to create they create less and follow the flow more. When this happens we all lose.

Answer 7

I'm not sure if it does. It may make you complacent. Freedom is great but I just wonder do we take it for granted. If you were told not to do something because it was wrong would that not in fact inspire you just as much or perhaps more. It may stimulate creativity because your anger could get your creative juices flowing.

Answer 8

creativity means creating something new and restrictions are based on past experiences. Whereas a creative person himself does not know what is going to be the outcome, therefore his creation can not fit into some kind of restrictions based on other's experiences.

Answer 9

Well just speculating by looking back on history, you didn't see a whole lot of great sonnets or novels coming out during any wars or famines. The freer we are spiritually and physically, the farther our muses can run to enlightenment...

Answer 10

Freedom gives you the chance to experience and express free will thus your own creativitiy. Enjoy!