Do you ever think knowledge stifles creativity?

Question

For instance, it has been hypothesized that Einstein was able to come up with many of his theories because he wasn't indoctrinated in the academic thought of that time. Also when solving puzzles if I start thinking a certain way, I have a hard time thinking any other way. It is also apperent on YAnswers. The questions might be similar until someone writes something original, then the questions seems similar to the new line of thinking. For this reason, I try to answer before I read anyone else's answer.

Answer 1

At times, but not a rule. most of the great creative minds where well educated engineers and scholars, like Issac newton and Micheal Angelo, very scientific and academically taught. some musicians have formal instrument training, but others are self taught, and can't read a note. in the Arts, and also the creativeness of them, there is not set rules, formal advanced education (knowledge, does not guarentee success in creativity, and can stifle it at times, but often the lack of knowledge can do just the same, often your insight is narrowed in both cases, either by following falsely academic guide lines (the guides not rules and people forget that sometimes). or ignorance of basic insight for lack of knowledge, both sides have there proponents. I have no training in voice and guitar, yet I play and sing, and am told I have a unique, creative style, but I know I lack a lot of potential creativity because I don't have knowledge on the basics of music, where as my son has some training, and is also very self creative and can go off into areas I am unaware are possible, yet he complains he feels the same way towards my way as I do to his,. I don't think there is a definitive answer, it's all subjective and like creativity, is different for each person.

Answer 2

I think you have a valid point, in that knowlege certainly influences us and predisposes us towards a certain way of thinking.

For instance, if I had not read the person before me's answer, would I have thought of the music analogy? Possible, since I spend so much time around music. But probably not.

I prefer to think of knowlege as a tool. I am studying music composition right now. We learn one set of rules and compose one way - and our music looks remarkably similar to a certain era of composers. But then we move on to a different set of rules, which we would not have been able to grasp had we not learned the first set. And so on. Eventually we do not need the rules anymore, which is where 21st century music and John Cage's 4:33 and "New Music" come in. But you cannot break the rules until you have learned them.

Knowledge is a tool, unfortunately some people treat it as the end all and stop learning. I don't believe it inhibits creativity, I believe it enables it.

Answer 3

It has been demonstrated repeatedly that knowledge can shape our apprehension of things. People who speak one language can more easily grasp concepts that are involved with the language than those who do not. And conversely ideas that run counter to the nature of the language become more difficult to envision. This is just as true for the language of science and the language of math as any other language.

You'll note, however, that difficult is not impossible. It would seem that knowledge CHANNELS creativity, but doesn't necessarily STIFLE it... unless you're considering just those areas that are counter to existing knowledge.

The part of your assertion I find most disagreeable is the notion that a lack of knowledge might ENHANCE creativity. It is my experience that exactly the opposite is true.

We know, for example, that the brain is plastic. Things you think about a lot become easier to think about. And things you don't think about become harder. This is part of what could causes the above channeling of creativity; consider what it would do to a person with NO model about something...

It is my experience that rather than thinking about things with an enhanced flexibility, someone with no model about something doesn't think about it at all. It's not that they're bursting with extra ideas. They have none. And they will probably have to work extra-hard to even develop the first model that will channel their next ideas into worn paths.

Try it yourself. Ask someone what they think about quantum mechanics, the implications of naked DNA integration, or the universe being three times larger than we can see. I'll wager most people you talk to will not only not have brilliant new ideas about such phenomenon, but will rather simply not care even if you tried to educate them.

So it goes.

Answer 4

No. I think lack of knowledge can stifle creativity.In music, say, if you don't know how to play guitar, you can only do so much. There's only so many songs you can write with three chords. The better you become, theorywise, the more you can do. Look at the bands Dream Theater, Rush and Yes.

True, you can get stuck in a rut, but taking another approach can snap you out of it.

Answer 5

Yes I do agree with you! No matter how knowledgeable a person is, in order to create new concepts and thought, the mind must be cleared first of all other thought! When one starts with a blank canvas the possibilities can be endless!! The proof of what I say is right here with all these answerer's that go on, and on, and on, and on to the point of not saying anything important!! People need to clear their minds, make their point and move on!!!

Answer 6

How can you be creative if you don't know what you are doing? I usually read the other answers in case someone has already given good advise. Then I don't have to write anything. Altho I do sometimes write to add extra thoughts to a good idea. Knowledge is a good thing!!!!!

Answer 7

I could must say no to the civil battle given that America is one Nation now in contrast to again within the civil battle it used to be a couple of colonies in opposition to each and every different.. But Im no longer gonna say not anything will ever occur among any one else however a civil battle will in no way be fought once more. Because the United States is one enormous melting pot and all people is all over,I dont even suppose its viable anymore. The greatest hazard we now have or thats viable within of our nation could be a gang battle.

Answer 8

Yes, it is good to keep an open mind. The best way to think is looking forward to being proved wrong. A challenge to what you know is enlightening. Creators, inventors and artist would never get anywhere new if they 'knew' what they are going to end up with. Its a process, like getting on with life and living. Good to keep an open mind, even if you feel you know loads..........find a different way to approach situations.

Answer 9

In the Einstein analogy, was it really knowledge or just the institution that stifled creativity?