Creative thinking is an ability to solve a difficult problem with a novel or unusual approach. Creative thinking differs from creativity in that it's a purposeful activity, whereas creativity is more free form and may not produce something useful. Creative thinking has been important throughout human history and is the backbone of invention.
Background
Creative thinking is an innate human ability. From the harnessing of fire to the invention of lasers, creative thinking has taken humans down from the trees. Creative thinking equals problem solving, and there are no shortage of problems in the world.
Creative thinking requires creativity and logical thinking, two components that may seem contradictory. Good creative thinkers have an ability to bridge the gap between different fields, but also have specialized knowledge in one or more fields.http://neurology.med.ohio-state.edu/cognitivelab/CreativityMechanisms.pdf
Big Problems to be Solved with Creative Thinking
- Renewable Energy – How can we replace fossil fuels cheaply and quickly with renewable energy?
- Health Care – How does a society provide inexpensive, efficient, universal coverage?
- Growing World Population – How do we provide a high-standard of living for the world's 6.8 billion people and growing?
- Disease – How do we effectively reduce disease in human populations?
References
Fast Facts
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Creative thinking solves problems, large and small
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Improve creative thinking by learning two different fields and then bridging the gap between them
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Creativity must be combined with logic for creative thinking
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Inventors use creative thinking effectively
