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The Eureka Effect: The Art and Logic of Breakthrough Thinking
"Perkins' style is engaging—not for eggheads only—and the brainteasers are entertaining and surprisingly fresh."—Chicago Tribune

From Archimedes' discovery of the principle of water displacement while taking a bath to Einstein's Theory of Relativity, from Brunelleschi's development of perspective drawing to the Impressionist revolution, from the taming of fire to the creation of the laser, "breakthrough thinking"—that is, a sudden, seemingly unaccountable moment of inspiration—has shaped and advanced civilization. But Nature invents, too—through evolutionary watersheds like vertebrate mammals and formerly grounded creatures making the leap to flight. How, then, does breakthrough thinking really work? What, if anything, does human invention have in common with biological evolution? Drawing on a rich knowledge of artificial intelligence and cognitive psychology, David Perkins offers a uniquely integrative theory of how breakthroughs occur, along with dozens of delightful mind puzzles and illustrations that will have you quizzing whomever happens to be nearest. B/W line drawings. Published in hardcover as Archimedes' Bathtub. "This cornucopia of brain-teasers tests your mettle, sharpens your skills, and illuminates the mysteries of human problem-solving."—Howard Gardner, Harvard University, author of The Disciplined Mind
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The Eureka Effect: The Art and Logic of Breakthrough Thinking
"Perkins' style is engaging—not for eggheads only—and the brainteasers are entertaining and surprisingly fresh."—Chicago Tribune

From Archimedes' discovery of the principle of water displacement while taking a bath to Einstein's Theory of Relativity, from Brunelleschi's development of perspective drawing to the Impressionist revolution, from the taming of fire to the creation of the laser, "breakthrough thinking"—that is, a sudden, seemingly unaccountable moment of inspiration—has shaped and advanced civilization. But Nature invents, too—through evolutionary watersheds like vertebrate mammals and formerly grounded creatures making the leap to flight. How, then, does breakthrough thinking really work? What, if anything, does human invention have in common with biological evolution? Drawing on a rich knowledge of artificial intelligence and cognitive psychology, David Perkins offers a uniquely integrative theory of how breakthroughs occur, along with dozens of delightful mind puzzles and illustrations that will have you quizzing whomever happens to be nearest. B/W line drawings. Published in hardcover as Archimedes' Bathtub. "This cornucopia of brain-teasers tests your mettle, sharpens your skills, and illuminates the mysteries of human problem-solving."—Howard Gardner, Harvard University, author of The Disciplined Mind
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The Eureka Effect: The Art and Logic of Breakthrough Thinking

The Eureka Effect: The Art and Logic of Breakthrough Thinking

by David Perkins Ph.D.
The Eureka Effect: The Art and Logic of Breakthrough Thinking

The Eureka Effect: The Art and Logic of Breakthrough Thinking

by David Perkins Ph.D.

Overview

"Perkins' style is engaging—not for eggheads only—and the brainteasers are entertaining and surprisingly fresh."—Chicago Tribune

From Archimedes' discovery of the principle of water displacement while taking a bath to Einstein's Theory of Relativity, from Brunelleschi's development of perspective drawing to the Impressionist revolution, from the taming of fire to the creation of the laser, "breakthrough thinking"—that is, a sudden, seemingly unaccountable moment of inspiration—has shaped and advanced civilization. But Nature invents, too—through evolutionary watersheds like vertebrate mammals and formerly grounded creatures making the leap to flight. How, then, does breakthrough thinking really work? What, if anything, does human invention have in common with biological evolution? Drawing on a rich knowledge of artificial intelligence and cognitive psychology, David Perkins offers a uniquely integrative theory of how breakthroughs occur, along with dozens of delightful mind puzzles and illustrations that will have you quizzing whomever happens to be nearest. B/W line drawings. Published in hardcover as Archimedes' Bathtub. "This cornucopia of brain-teasers tests your mettle, sharpens your skills, and illuminates the mysteries of human problem-solving."—Howard Gardner, Harvard University, author of The Disciplined Mind

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780393322552
Publisher: Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date: 09/17/2001
Pages: 304
Product dimensions: 5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

David Perkins co-directs the think tank "Project Zero" at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and has authored books on mind, intelligence, creativity, and learning.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgmentsix
I.The Idea of Breakthrough Thinking1
1.Thinking like Leonardo3
2.From Sufi Tales to James Bond Thrillers24
3.The Logic of Lucking Out44
4.Is There a Science of Breakthrough Thinking?67
II.The Art of Breakthrough Thinking89
5.Thinking's Big Bang91
6.Clues for the Clueless110
7.Walking through Walls128
8.Anything but That145
III.Mind, Brain, and Breakthrough Thinking165
9.Breakthroughs on Trial167
10.Is There a Mental Overdrive?179
11.Presence of Mind197
12.Knowing Too Much and Forgetting Enough213
IV.Does Nature Think?229
13.Evolution Breaks Through231
14.Blind Minds and Smart Evolution252
15.Why We're Stuck with Breakthrough Thinking265
Notes271
Permissions283
Index285
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