Summary
of Albert Einstein “Letter to Jacques Hadamard”
Albert Einstein’s creative thought
processes are found within “Letter to Jacques Hadamard.” Einstein relates that
words are not involved with his thought (32).
His thought is populated with certain signs that can be “combined and
reproduced” (32). He writes that
emotional drivers motivate connections between the signs and logical concepts, and
that associative play among the signs form combinations leading to creative
ideas (32).
Einstein describes the elements as visual
and something muscular (33). He advises
that conventional words are used only in the secondary phase, and that they
become laborious (33). He writes that
language comes into play once the initial idea has taken from and can be
recalled (33). He also notes that
associative play has to be within the realm of ideas the subject is exploring
for the logical connections to form (33).
Einstein’s letter establishes that signs and
physical memories are the primary tools for creative thought. Language has a role to play, but it is a
secondary in nature and can only be used after the primary idea has taken form. The term associative play is aligned with
lateral thinking. Play suggests a mind
frame that is free to tinker and combine ideas without concern for
failure. It suggests a mind that is free
to roam as long as the ideas are somewhat connected to the subject’s intent.
Works Cited
Einstein, Albert. “Letter to Jacques
Hadamard.” The Creative Process: A Symposium. Ed. Brewster Ghislen. Berkeley:
University of California Press. 1985. 32-33. Print.
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