The Importance of Creativity
Richard Randolph BA, MA, PhD Faculty Language, Arts, Humanities
A View from the College
April 9, 2019
Richard Randolph
BA, MA, PhD
Faculty
Language, Arts, Humanities
The Importance of Creativity
People today have inflated the importance of science and math and trivialized creativity and the humanities and arts. This attitude is transforming colleges from educational centers focused on creating young people of character and wisdom to training centers preparing people to be employees ready to transition into the workforce as soon as possible.
But society and modern academia are simply wrong. First, the emphasis on science and math discourages smart and talented students with natural inclinations toward the arts to simply quit or to move to another major. Some think this wise, but artists make bad accountants anyway. Second, even students who love science and math shouldn’t neglect their creative side, which
will disadvantage them in their fields and prevent them from reaching their full potential. It’s simple. Creativity is just as important as problem solving skills and should be given the same respect. If you don’t believe me, how about Einstein? He said, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination,” and, “To regard old problems from a new angle requires creative imagination and marks real advances in science.”
Of course, students naturally hope to get good jobs once they graduate. However, surveys of major employers list communication skills and creativity in their top ten desired traits, so not only would schools be wise to focus more on these but students would be wise to diversify their studies to include a wide spattering of literature, philosophy, history, and fine arts. These will not only make them better employees, but will make their lives more fulfilling and make them better citizens with a clearer sense of history, the world, and their civic responsibilities, the very things we need to ensure a just society.
So, if you’re interested in math and science, by all means pursue them, but don’t forget the arts, too. And if you’re interested in the humanities or the arts, don’t let anyone deter you or make you feel less smart. Creativity is a clear marker of high-level thinking, and society needs such thinking now more than ever.
Richard Randolph