by “Science does not know its debt to imagination” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
In a time where the world is tech-saturated and filled with advanced societies, the importance of imagination relating to science and innovation has become an under-thought for the majority of the public eye. I unfortunately fall victim to this tendency as well. While I understand some of the background workings of technology and science, I can admit that I take advantage of the advanced technology provided to me without even thinking about development that goes in what I am using. Obsession with technology, including phones, computers, tv, video games, etc. has become normal in our current society, leaving little room for thoughts and imaginations outside of the advantages it provides for us. The normal-minded human looks at science as a dictionary or a law of facts about the world and natural processes. Science, however, involves many other vital concepts and traits that allow for investigation, invention, and progression to happen. Imagination is one of these essential traits that are not based upon pure evidence or scientific understanding. While imagination in the scientific process is under-appreciated, it is needed to pursue an understanding of the world beyond the current boundaries and limitations of our current scientific knowledge.
(source: aboutmybrain.com)
It is a human tendency to conform, be confined, and not extend beyond their boundary of understanding. The great innovators and developers in our world’s history have overcome and avoided this tendency. It takes an imaginative mind to think through a problem or process and make the solutions into reality, which allows science to form. The way in which imagination drives people to strategically follow a process of exploration through detailed steps is extremely valuable. In this sense, imagination is or what leads to science. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a famous philosopher from the 19th century, argues that science is very much in debt to imagination. While this quote is worded in a casual and playful way, the attempted point is clear: imagination is fully responsible for the historic developments and successes in science. It only makes sense that a human trait such as imagination is vital in order to make strides in the development of science, which is full of wonder, exploration, and surprises. An example of imaginative thinking that shows progress in learning capability can be seen through teaching styles. Especially in young children, effective learning methods can be driven by associating academic topics with their personal interests. If a topic can stimulate interest, children’s imaginations will run wild with possibilities and questions to obtain further knowledge. Additionally, accessing a child’s imagination through learning will allow for them to be open to surprises and new perspectives.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
(Source: Wikipedia)
Given this perspective from Ralph Waldo Emerson and extending his thoughts, you could think of science as imagination coming to life. While many of the great minds in history were gifted with top-notch intelligence, it is their imagination that allowed for their ideas workings to be carried out in an effective form. I never really gave thought to science in this way, however this research has led me to a new way of thinking that makes me value imagination more in this process.
sources:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/science-is-imagination
https://thedishonscience.stanford.edu/posts/imagination-in-science/