Achieving Extraordinary Ends: An Essay on Creativity (Sharon Bailin)

Abstract

Creativity has become a popular slogan in contemporary education and society. We are urged continually to be creative in all our endeavors. Ascribing creativity has become one of the principle means of praising, approving and commending. Yet in the process of becoming a universal term of positive evaluation, the concept of creativity has lost its connection with its origins. We have forgotten what creativity has to do with creating, that it is connected with great achievements and quality productions. And as a consequence, most attempts to foster creativity in educational practice have been misleading and dangerous. We have come to settle for the encouragement of certain personality traits at the expense of the encouragement of significant achievement. This book is meant to clear up thoughts and concepts of creativity.