Abstract
The purpose of this study is to question and challenge the
common beliefs concerning the incompatibility of scientific and artistic minds.
Primarily, the paper deals with the great physicists and the highly creative
processes that led to their ideas and discoveries. Mathematicians, painters,
composers, and other great minds are examined and compared as well. When
closely observed, these various “types” show to have more in common than our
stereotypes would suggest. Some factors taken into account include: personality
traits, i.e. sense of humor, autonomy, beliefs, background(s), and the general
mind-set(s) of these great thinkers. Much of backing data is comprised of
quotes and historical accounts. The sources cited include a large number of
books and a few magazines. The types of books used are highly variant in their genre and include: biographies, hard
science explorations, texts, and psychology alike. Aside from the examples of
the featured individuals, the study includes an all around attempt to
demonstrate that within the fields themselves, of art, music, math, and
science, there are undeniable correlations. The conclusions drawn from the
research conducted are highly supportive of the initial hypothesis.
