Over the years, the term “creativity” has been given numerous varying definitions. It appears as if each individual— a few of whom include Oliver Sacks, Sigmund Freud, and Jean Piaget— has his/her own unique understanding of the seemingly simple term. In analyzing Oliver Sacks’s An Anthropologist on Mars, the definition of creativity is a crucial factor in the clarification and appreciation of individuals with a variety of neurological disabilities. Without a universally accepted definition, creativity in the lives of Sacks’ patients would be merely subjective. Howard Gardner, a renowned psychologist, proposes a possible definition for creativity in his book Creating Minds. He argues that creativity is an equal balance of “Individual Talent,”
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When given a verbal IQ test, Stephen scored a mere 52 (202). Intelligence may not be attainable to the same degree by all individuals. This lack of intellectual capability does not necessarily mean that the intelligent individual is not also creative. The two domains are not mutually exclusive. Intelligence has proven itself to be a vital component in the creativity and success of Dr. Bennett in Oliver Sack’s chapter “A Surgeon’s Life.” As a medical school student, Carl Bennett was required to overcome numerous unique obstacles. Simply reading the required texts was difficult for him: “‘I’d have to read each line many times,’ he said. ‘I’d have to line up each paragraph to get all four corners symmetrically in my visual field’” (86). Tourette’s syndrome forced Dr. Bennett to be incredibly meticulous as a medical school student; and has empowered him to become a “whiz at diagnosis” (91) in practice. The knowledge and background that Dr. Bennett possesses enables him to be a creative, yet great, Tourettic surgeon. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and going “to great lengths…to explain all the anatomy” (92) of a particular surgery. Without Dr. Bennett’s vast intellectual capabilities, he would never have succeeded in the tough field of medical
When given a verbal IQ test, Stephen scored a mere 52 (202). Intelligence may not be attainable to the same degree by all individuals. This lack of intellectual capability does not necessarily mean that the intelligent individual is not also creative. The two domains are not mutually exclusive. Intelligence has proven itself to be a vital component in the creativity and success of Dr. Bennett in Oliver Sack’s chapter “A Surgeon’s Life.” As a medical school student, Carl Bennett was required to overcome numerous unique obstacles. Simply reading the required texts was difficult for him: “‘I’d have to read each line many times,’ he said. ‘I’d have to line up each paragraph to get all four corners symmetrically in my visual field’” (86). Tourette’s syndrome forced Dr. Bennett to be incredibly meticulous as a medical school student; and has empowered him to become a “whiz at diagnosis” (91) in practice. The knowledge and background that Dr. Bennett possesses enables him to be a creative, yet great, Tourettic surgeon. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and going “to great lengths…to explain all the anatomy” (92) of a particular surgery. Without Dr. Bennett’s vast intellectual capabilities, he would never have succeeded in the tough field of medical