Question

Why was the concept of art used as an intro to our review of creativity? How does this tie into the idea that complex problem requiring creative solution?

Answer 1

Art is essentially a way of understanding and appreciating the world around us in the multitude of ways in which it may exist. There can be numerous ways of organising objects around us. Art helps us to realise the myriad of ways that an object can be conceptualized across time and space. This has been consistently used in making aesthetic objects and appreciating the beauty around us. However, it has larger connotations. For, art essentially implies the abstract thinking, interlinking skills and ability to deal with novel phenomena. Creativity requires us to conceive and implement novel solutions for a set problems. Crafting a novel solution requires the skills and abilities mentioned above. It is in this context that artistic ability is a prerequisite for creativity.

Complex problems are those problems which do not have any established solution strategy and therefore require the crafting of solution through a process of visualizing- contextulazing-conceiving-designing and creating a solution for a complex problem. All this can be performed only by a person with ability of abstract thinking, interlinking the hitherto unrelated objects and phenomena and finding a solution. Therefore, art is the essential quality needed for creativity and creativity in turn is prerequisite for complex problem solving.