The Act of Creation (Arkana)
by Arthur Koestler
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Book Summary Information
Author: Arthur KoestlerEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1990-06-05
ISBN: 0140191917
Number of pages: 752
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Book Reviews of The Act of Creation (Arkana)
Book Review: A Masterpiece, sadly forgotten, worth reviving
Summary: 5 Stars
Recently, I have read a lot of books on Creativity and Innovation. My big surprise is that virtually none of them mention Koestler's The Act of Creation. This is unfortunate because this book is probably the most authoritative examination of creativity. Attention to this classic is worth reviving.
Koestler examines three types of creativity - Humor, Science, and Poetry. Humor, according to him, is cruel (a valuable insight). Poetry, and other forms of art, integrate oneself with the World. Science occupies the neutral middle. It is amazing how Koestler manages to link all three kinds of creativity with a common framework.
My two biggest take-aways from this book are regarding the process of creation and its form.
As Koestler describes beautifully - "..uncovers, selects, re-shuffles, combines, synthesizes already existing facts, ideas, faculties, skills. The more familiar the parts, the more striking the new whole." This is corroborated by all geniuses who have stood `on the shoulder of giants'. Even inventors like Edison fit this framework. This is close to saying that instead of thinking `outside the box', link several boxes to each other.
The other great insight is that the final breakthrough is rarely verbal, but in images. So people see new insights in a dream-like trance, rather than expressing it in language. Language, probably, impedes creativity.
There are several more delightful and relevant insights on creativity in this masterpiece. Nearly a bible on creativity.
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