Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut.
Perspect Psychol Sci. 2018 Nov;13(6):734-749. doi: 10.1177/1745691618771981. Epub 2018 Sep 18.
Being creative is considered a desirable trait, yet most empirical studies emphasize how to increase creativity rather than explore its possible benefits. A natural connection is how creativity can enhance life's meaning. Many of the core concepts in work on the meaning of life, such as the needs for coherence, significance, and purpose or the desire for symbolic immortality, can be reached through creative activity. The synthesis of these two constructs-creativity and the meaning of life-is discussed with a temporal model encompassing past, present, and future pathways to creativity. The past pathway can help one understand and reflect on life. The present pathway can remind one of life's joy and the many possible connections with humanity. Finally, the future pathway strives to ensure some type of legacy that may resonate with younger generations.
创新被认为是一种理想的特质，但大多数实证研究强调的是如何提高创造力，而不是探索它可能带来的好处。一个自然而然的联系是创新如何能增强生活的意义。在生命意义的研究中，许多核心概念，如连贯性、意义和目的的需求，或者对象征性不朽的渴望，都可以通过创造性活动来实现。本文讨论了这两个结构——创造力和生命的意义——的综合，提出了一个包括过去、现在和未来创新途径的时间模型。过去的途径可以帮助人们理解和反思生活。现在的途径可以提醒人们生活的乐趣以及与人类的许多可能联系。最后，未来的途径努力确保某种可能与年轻一代产生共鸣的遗产。
