Wisdom and the Senses: The Way of Creativity

by Joan M. Erikson

Drawing on the Eriksonian theory of the life cycle, a parallel is shown between the growth and creation of self and the creation of art, focusing on the utilization of the senses as an integral part of achieving our potential

Genres: Psychology

207 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1988

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hoping for more about the development of creativity, although I did enjoy reading the more general material about human development. In particular, I was intrigued by Erikson's explanation that the ideal resolution of each developmental conflict requires more of a balance between syntonic and dystonic poles, rather than a firm 'victory' of the syntonic. The end segment, "The Fool, the Jester, and the Artist" was amazing.

Other parts of the book were not as strong. The representation of the charted stages in a woven tapestry was cool, but the corresponding text got a bit tedious. The text supplied by the three artists was embarrassingly rambling.

Throughout, the passages that really gripped my attention and interest tended to be tangents or asides, and I was saddened by the return to the actual topic at hand. However, I do count reading the book as time well spent.

[Herman Plasmans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book