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Cited by 418

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 21 of the 21 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Creativity in Science: Chance, Logic, Genius, and Zeitgeist

Simonton, Dean Keith·2004·Cambridge University Press eBooks

Abstract

Psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, historians - and even scientists themselves - have often tried to decipher the basis for creativity in science. Some have attributed creativity to a special logic, the so-called scientific method, whereas others have pointed to the inspirations of genius or to the inevitable workings of the zeitgeist. Finally, some have viewed scientific breakthroughs as the product of chance, as witnessed in the numerous episodes of serendipity. Too often these four alternative interpretations are seen as mutually exclusive. Yet the central thesis of this book is that the chance, logic, genius, and zeitgeist perspectives can be integrated into a single coherent theory of creativity in science. But for this integration to succeed, change must be elevated to the status of primary cause. Logic, genius and the zeitgeist still have significant roles to play but mainly operate insofar as they enhance, or constrain the operation of a chance combinatorial process.

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Metadata

Authors
Simonton, D. K.
Venue
Cambridge University Press eBooks
Published
2004-05-03
OpenAlex
W4211114405
Cited by
418
References
21
FWCI
13.32
Type
book
Language
en
Open access
closed

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Creativity in Science: Chance, Logic, Genius, and Zeitgeist. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1017/cbo9781139165358
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Simonton, D. K. (2004). Creativity in Science: Chance, Logic, Genius, and Zeitgeist. Cambridge University Press eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9781139165358

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