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16 - Creativity in the Domain of Mathematics

from Part III - Creativity in the Sciences

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2017

By
Ugur Sak ,
Ülkü Ayvaz ,
Bilge Bal-Sezerel  and
N. Nazli Özdemir
Edited by
James C. Kaufman ,
Vlad P. Glăveanu  and
John Baer
James C. Kaufman
Affiliation:
University of Connecticut
Vlad P. Glăveanu
Affiliation:
Universitetet i Bergen, Norway
John Baer
Affiliation:
Rider University, New Jersey
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Summary

Abstract

In this chapter, we first review mathematical creativity with an emphasis on the nature of novelty in mathematics. We compare mathematical creativity to creativity in other domains, provide examples of novelty, and contrast these to novelty in other domains and explain types of creativity in mathematics based on perspectives in philosophy. All the theoretical perspectives we reviewed led us to synthesize that mathematical creativity involves knowledge production which is either discovery or invention. The chapter also covers pioneers and their contributions to the study of mathematical creativity, such as Polya and Krutetskii. The last part of the chapter includes a review and critique of the assessment of mathematical creativity, such as paper and pencil assessments, observations and interviews, and self-assessment.

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Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Creativity across Domains , pp. 276 - 298
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2017

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