Is Imagination More Important Than Knowledge?
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Do You Agree With Einstein?
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
I noticed this quote by Albert Einstein hanging on the wall of a classroom in my daughter's Montessori/Liberal Arts school and it just stuck in my mind until I realized that it would make a online great debate!
Do You Agree With Albert Einstein?
Do you believe that the true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination?
What is more important, imagination or knowledge?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byImagination
Lars says:
People who are not creative and have no imagination (most people) use knowledge to feel good about themselves because after all that's easy to aquire. Truly intelligent people don't need knowledge (useless facts).
Posted February 11, 2012
Imagine says:
Imagination or going beyond the limits of what you already know will propel you to gain knowledge.
Posted February 11, 2012
anupma says:
Yes, imagination is more important than knowledge as it is the mother of knowledge.
Posted February 09, 2012
sybelle says:
To me IMAGINATION is the stretchy glue that binds and propels knowledge to new frontiers.
Posted February 08, 2012
Sk8ter13 says:
Without imagination we wouldn't have alot of things such as music, televition etc.
Posted February 06, 2012
vicky says:
imagination is more importantant because it is limitless, and in fact has inspired us to gain more knowledge, just look at sci fi books from 50 years ago, and how they are all slowly coming true.
Posted February 05, 2012
peter r says:
edward debono stated never get caught in the intelligence trap why? You will have to use your imagination to find out, after all how did the wheel come about. Eistein stated that there was a far greater power beyond science and mankind the ultimate imagination may find it after physical existence.
Posted February 04, 2012
peter redding says:
yes because imigination can get you past knowledge already discovered
after all life experience somekind of imagination
Posted February 04, 2012
Sunny says:
Knowledge gives power, strengthens the ego,to be right or wrong. IMAGINATION gives creativity, ideas to try new things, comfort (e.g. teddybear), feelings for the most joyful things of live, that without knowing how it works, inspirition of all starts, so:
Posted February 02, 2012
Bearsun says:
From subatomic particles to Cosmic Clusters required an imagination to produce for knowledge to acknowledge. Did the Golden Gate Bridge design itself? Our imaginations are created from evolved Cosmic Imaginations. Imagine that!:)
Posted January 31, 2012
aoygs says:
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Posted January 31, 2012
Grace says:
Imagination is ultimately the the basis of intelligent thought, and further more, the link between intelligent thought and knowledge. A creative process involving the power of the human mind is necessary to bring about a knowledgeable conclusion. As stated by Albert Einstein , “...imagination is more important than knowledge...”; imagination provides itself as the most fundamental part of achieving knowledge, and building upon knowledge. I firmly believe that no conclusions about our world can be made in the absence of imaginative thought. And in accordance with this belief, imagination is the only way to get to the ‘next step’ in our progressive knowledge as humanity. Another consideration is that knowledge is cumulative. Once something can be proved as true, with solid evidence and testing to back it up, humans start searching for ways to build upon our new found abilities and insights. Let's take a look at this quote in it's entirety: “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” He states “... knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world...”. In my interpretation, this addresses the notion that knowledge means nothing without the imagination to continue it.
Albert Einstein was a man of great achievement. Scientific principles and theories that define our modern education, were tested and discovered by Einstein. He holds huge distinction in our society. For a man of such credibility to make this bold claim, a large amount of trust can be invested in this statement. This is not just a quote that was thrown out there by an anonymous or unreliable source, but instead can be sourced back to arguably the greatest mind of our time. Imagination was emphasized greatly by Einstein, in all areas of his work, and we can see that Einstein would have been nothing with out his outstanding capacity for imagination.
Posted January 27, 2012
sarahc says:
To have knowledge you need imagination.
I was told this today when bothered by someone calling me stupid.
A guy I was speaking to told me,
"do you have an imagination?"
I responded "yes, a great one"
he told me "That is what you need. If you can take anything you're told, and remember it by associating it with something you know, you are using your imagination to help learn, memorize and even understand."
The things we easily remember are the things close to us..
When you know someone who has died.. or someone has broken your heart..
Whatever it may be that hurt you..
you remember it, dwell on it, picture it, think of it constantly in every aspect possible..
This is using your imagination.. this is helping you to never forget something.
Posted January 25, 2012
StarChild says:
If somebody think that knowledge is more important than imagination, he didn't understand the imagination as well. You don't have to know what knowlege is, to understand the imagination. The knowledge is only a shape. The imagination have a thousands different shapes. Those who say, that you can't imagine without knowledge, don't truly understand the imagination. You don't have to know, what is a star, to imagine you can go there..for a walk. Becouse the only one thing you need to know, is that you want to be there.
Posted January 21, 2012
Hannah says:
This is from a kid's point of view: I think that having knowledge is good, but imagination is better. If kids today just go to school and learn all the time, how will they end up? Smart, but also having a yearning to do something different. Without imagination, there would be no sewing, drawing, painting, or music! All of the arts are founded on imagination! So My answer is, Imagination is much better!
Posted January 15, 2012
Jeremy says:
Imagination is necessary to conceive of an idea, but knowledge is necessary to execute the idea. Of course, the idea can be thought of by someone other than the person executing the idea. The necessary justaposition is imaginiation alongside the determination to find someone to execute the idea. Jobs and Gates both had ideas born of imagination -- but not the skills to execute. There are many people capable of executing creative ideas, but lack the imagination to conceive of them. Both are important, but imagination (combined with determination) is the rarer gift and therefore more important.
www.retro-dad.com
Posted January 03, 2012
Trog says:
If cave dwellers hadn't imagined living outside of the cave...
Posted January 02, 2012
Cella says:
U can't imagine without knowledge but without imagination having full knowledge is worse and indeed useless
Posted December 30, 2011
fabio says:
HI There. I Think Imagination is more important. This because while we can catalogue and judge knowledge as useful, obsolete, out of date etc, imagination remains free and as diverse as humankind itself. Found this post while searching for info on imagination for a new post in my blog nuvendigital.com. Sorry (written in portuguese). But I really enjoyed the post keep writing interesting discussions like this.
Posted December 30, 2011
Napoleon says:
Imagination created knowledge. The caveman used his imagination to make observations on how to live. Imagination > Knowledge, because before knowledge never existed. Steve Jobs, invented an empire without any knowledge. He gathered a team of engineers to make the Mac. You can be stupid but have smart people around you build a business! However, the average Palo Alto person can build an empire without any knowledge today. So, a high school drop out can be as smart as someone from Harvard or Stanford. And innovate society more.
Posted December 29, 2011
mahadev says:
here it is important to understand what is being told.imagination or knowledge is more important,the word 'important'.important but how?i think it is imagination because anything is first imagined and then get known.with knowledge cannot help where knowledge stop,or limited.it the imagination.
Posted December 26, 2011
dis says:
"wat" .....
I'd say that huge 10,000 word copy-pastes show an absence of both imagination and knowledge.
Posted December 13, 2011
shed says:
imagination..because without imagination you don't know how to use your knowledge..it is useless..
Posted December 12, 2011
Dhatsavan says:
Einstein did indeed say this regarding science and some aspects of the scientific method. But it may have more to do with faith. The way he puts it reads like a Bible verse: "Imagination encircles the world."
Posted December 10, 2011
Dhatsavan says:
@BAM!
Only problem is, the "physics" of the lift of a wing is not well understood even today let alone a hundred years ago. The Wright brothers had practically no "knowledge" to back them up. They were stepping into the dark, not very different than Einstein.
Posted December 10, 2011
SueAnn says:
Knowledge only takes you to the extent of what is known. Imagination opens our minds to possibilities. Imagination and creativity go hand in hand and utilize knowledge as a tool.
Posted December 08, 2011
nadia says:
also...it's not through knowledge that you measure someone's intelligence
Posted December 07, 2011
nadia says:
see that's where you're wrong stella...in the biginning of times where was knowledge? in the beginning of human race where was knowledge??? where ? there was no such thing, it was creativity, imagination, willpower that made all the so called knowledge you have today. imagination provides knowledge...
Posted December 07, 2011
mary says:
imagination is more important
Posted December 07, 2011
NuMensa says:
"Wat are you thinking?" I suspect a long cut & paste will not bolster the claim that imagination is what you are truly articulating.
But again, irony and word-play are exemplars par excellence, if I do say so myself.
One man's Gödel is another's Möbius? Not to be diacritical, but it's not all about the umlaut.
Posted December 06, 2011
Knowledge
wawawaiai says:
Children have more imagination than adults. But, if they rule the world, then we will be in trouble. Thus, we need knowledge as basis for understanding the society around us.
Posted February 15, 2012
sybelle says:
To me IMAGINATION is the stretchy glue that binds and propels knowledge to new frontiers.
Posted February 08, 2012
Homey says:
if there is no knowledge nothing would bring anyone to such imagination that can circle one around the world but to Alice in Wonderland.
Posted February 07, 2012
SHIENA says:
KNOWLEDGE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN IMAGINATION.
Posted January 28, 2012
meri_18 says:
for me.. knowledge is the most important.. without it we can't imagine things which exist in this world.. without knowledge you don't even know what imagination is..
Posted December 13, 2011
aldrich says:
if you have no knowledge you can't imagine..because when you imagine you are using your knowledge to imagine..
Posted December 12, 2011
stella says:
U can't imagine without knowledge..
Posted November 19, 2011
BAM! says:
Imagination not more important than knowledge. Firstly, to achieve something, you need knowledge more than imagination. Secondly To be able to strategize properly, you need knowledge, rather than imagination.
The first reason imagination is not more important than knowledge is because to achieve something, you need knowledge more than imagination. Two examples are Steve Jobs and the Wright brothers. Steve, did need imagination to think of the iphone in the first place, but without having proper knowledge in the first place, he would have not been able to achieve anything, imagine how much he have had to study the art of programming to achieve this project. The Wright brothers, they dreamed of human flight, and they imagined that. But without years studying the law of physics and flying, the Wright brothers would have never accomplished the first ever airplane.
The second reason why knowledge is more important than imagination is because knowledge is the key to strategics. Two examples are The Revolutionary War and The weather. In the revolutionary war, the British redcoats by far outnumbered the revolutionary soldiers, the generals of the British army knew the number of troops the Americans had, however they did not know the conditions of America. The British were not aware of the abundant woodland in America, the Americans had a huge advantage over them because they were used to the woodland and they won the battle. If the British had known about the abundant woodland and had gotten used to it, they might have won the battle. The second reason is the weather. Sunny or cloudy? Drizzle or Torrent? Windy or breezy? having knowledge over these help you what you are going to do for the future. What if you did not know it would be rainy today and went out for a picnic? The rain would surely ruin your day.
Posted October 24, 2011
daya says:
I suppose imagination is equate the importance of knowledge, they just depend on each other. as a doctor , I have to say that in medical field, knowledge is more important than imagination
Posted October 04, 2011
Morgannafay says:
Being that I'm an artist, I should be over there on the imagination side, but I'm going to have to say that both are equal, and you cannot have one without the other. Balance in everything is key.
Posted August 24, 2011
Surferstorm says:
Without imagination knowledge cannot form. But without knowledge imagination cannot produce more advanced imaginings.
Posted August 23, 2011
maclain says:
knowledge is limitted g
Posted August 18, 2011
says:
Imagination has wings only because of Knowledge
Posted August 09, 2011
Someone. says:
"Do you believe that the true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination?"
Knowledge is not the sign of intelligence, believing knowledge is the sign of intelligence is the sign of stupidity.
Posted July 27, 2011
Fred says:
I understand Einstein's 'imagination' as synonymous with 'ingenuity'. Knowledge is the foundation, but ingenuity is what draws on and puts to use knowledge.
Posted June 30, 2011
Marcos says:
Imagination needs knowledge. Knowledge needs imagination.
Posted June 03, 2011
Cassandra says:
If "knowledge" refers to academics, then I'd say creativity is more important than knowledge. If knowledge refers to an inherent understanding of the way things are, then I'd say knowledge is equally important to creativity. Imagination was a poor choice of words on Einstein's part.
Posted May 31, 2011
Al says:
My final Conclusions
I have concluded that everything evolves, even the universe. Nothing that exists in the past can exist in the present and nothing that will exist in the future can exist in the present. Therefore, all that exists is in the present. We can uncover the past plus it's becomming less difficult to predict the future through advances in science.
Evolution is forever moving forward in our time-space continuum. Reverse evolution could only coincide with antimatter, another time-space continuum. The more we evolve both mentally and physically, the more accurate our discovery of the past and our prediction of the future will become. Finally, if we survive, we will evolve enough to make intelligent decisions about our future survival.
For the present, we are slaves of nature and evolution and need to evolve to the point where all world governments, through human awareness, work together toward peace and trust among nations. I feel we are on the cusp of a watershed moment in human evolution where all of humanity will learn to cooperate on human rights, population control, and scientific advances that support commerce and human survival (including space exploration).
I hope I'm wrong but, I also feel that this watershed moment will be triggered by a series of highly destructive global events, government and natural, causing major disruption in world markets. It is in the aftermath that humanity will evolve with more trust and common sence. In any case there will be a major shift in idiologies, an awakening will occur.
Our scientific discoveries are as limitless as the universe, and beyond. The universe is constantly evolving therefore, human discovery is immeasurable. We need to try and ignore the self and increase our combined knowledge and awareness. Imagination and reality are interdependent and boundless. There is only one immortality possible in the present, the survival and evolution of humanity. In the future, anything is possible.
Posted May 26, 2011
crap vs shit vs poop says:
imagination is cruel and horrible when ever your at the dark your imagination will destroy you life is cruel
Posted May 18, 2011
Elyse says:
Withoutr knowledge we would still be in the stone age
Posted May 16, 2011
Al says:
Every living evolving creature has imagination. All animals require it to survive. Without the knowledge to survive we are doomed. You cannot simply imagine your immortality or future survival and expect nature to morph into your imaginary psychosis. You need to use your psychosis to search for nature's truth. The truth required to use natures hidden power and find ways to survive it's constant destruction and creation. This can only happen through structured scientific research and exploration. I imagine our continued survival if we consentrate on advancing science & technology.
Posted May 12, 2011
Al says:
If we put aside curiosity, imagination and religion, as we should, what is left is reality and nature. Religions based on immortality defeat the true purpose of nature. Nature insists that all species use their intelligence to evolve and survive, including the homo sapien. Imagination may be the measure of the intelligence of the species to discover the secrets of nature. It's just a tool like computers. The FACTS (knowledge) of nature is what humanity requires to survive forever beyond this solar system. Many inventions and facts of nature are discovered through known information and pure accidental discovery as opposed to pure imagination. Ask any scientest. Imagination is important in theorizing but, many theories go unproven if not based on factual science. We need to promote science & technology if we are to have any hope for our continued survival as a species. Nature doesn't care, it just goes on destroying and creating as it always has, forever.
Posted May 12, 2011
Al says:
If we put curiousity, imagination and religion aside, as we should, we are left with reality and Nature. Natures purpose insists on all species, including the homo sapien, to promote their survival for as long as nature allows, or to understand natures mysteries and riddles to the extent of securing the sience and technology to insure our future survival. If you believe in a deity and immortality it defeats the purpose of the struggle for survival and the need for advancements in knowledge and evolution the nature insists on. The only way for humanity to survive forever is through a more complete knowledge of the FACTS (knowledge) of nature to promote our survival. Imagination may help in discovering knowledge but, many of natures mysteries are solved through known information and pure accident. Ask any scientest.
Posted May 12, 2011
kindsinner says:
As the saying: Eyes see what brain knows........This means that we think what we already no about or new thinking contains the base of previous knowledge. Imagination is just the extension of the knowledge in different directions to see new ways in which that knowledge is applicable.
Posted April 28, 2011
GB says:
Knowledge is more important. You can dream about doing something all the while, but it never gets done unless you have the knowledge, the power and facts, to fulfill the dream.
Posted April 27, 2011
YO says:
Both should work together. Having the basic knowledge is important and imagination can only take you further. Difficult choice.
Posted April 22, 2011
isotope says:
without knowledge one could not imagine things, in return without imagination, no new knowledge will be developed
Posted March 18, 2011
Al says:
Knowledge is more than just what we already know. Knowledge is the continuing discovery and understanding of everything that already exists, may have existed, or may exist in the future. See if you can wrapp you limited imagination around that.
Posted March 08, 2011
vikram reddy says:
knowledge makes safer world.
Posted March 08, 2011
Aaron Easton says:
curiosity is the true key to wisdom, with outimagination, there would be no knowlege
Posted March 06, 2011
Easy poll for those who may have misplaced their imagination and/or ability to type.
Books About Albert Einstein
Introduce Your Kids To Young Albert Einstein
The Best Albert Einstein Quotes
Add your favorite and vote!
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
14 points
"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding."
8 points
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
7 points
"The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible."
0 points
Einstein Recordings
DVD's About Einstein
More Einstein On Squidoo!
More Of My Debates On HeyMonkeyBrain
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ajgodinho Feb 17, 2011 @ 1:04 am | delete
- Great debate ~ I think both are important and go hand-in-hand. Knowledge can produce imagination and imagination more knowledge. If I were to be asked to choose one over the other, I would prefer imagination over knowledge. :)
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ShamanicShift
Jan 26, 2011 @ 9:05 pm | delete
- What fun -- great juxtaposition -- blessed by a SquidAngel!
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fickledpen
Jan 17, 2011 @ 10:07 am | delete
- I just believe you need the imagination as the initial foundation. The imagination allows an individual to dream, and in doing so, enables that person to seek the knowledge necessary to make those dreams a reality. In truth, you definately cant have one without the other, an imagination without knowledge is just a dream, knowledge without imagination is just information.
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mcochs
Oct 4, 2010 @ 7:04 pm | delete
- Terrific lens-loved it!
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dryder
Oct 2, 2010 @ 6:26 am | delete
- I think you need both.
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emcueto
Oct 1, 2010 @ 5:04 am | delete
- I think that both are necessary but knowledge is just a little bit more important than imagination. This is because what we imagine is first based on something else, which is something that we already know.
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drifter0658
Sep 21, 2010 @ 1:28 pm | delete
- Without imagination, our knowledge would be very limited. Great debate!
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Laddoo
Sep 14, 2010 @ 9:30 am | delete
- Imagination in my view would beat knowledge any day!
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michael
Sep 11, 2010 @ 9:34 am | delete
- KNOWLEDGE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN IMAGINATION;
"Good knowledge is better than life" O.Nwobu, for it is said "To deny oneself knowledge of the truth is to deny oneself a save life" O.Nwobu, and "an unsafe life is as good as a dead one".
"A Bird at hand is worth two in the bush". knowledge IS MORE important than imagination because imagination is a MERE EXTENSION of knowledge". can anyone who has no knowledge about something take up imagination about that thing? definitely NO!!!!!
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bygproductions
May 30, 2010 @ 3:55 pm | delete
- I think both are important. You can have a great imagination, but if you don't have knowledge you won't be able to do anything worthwhile with the things you imagine.
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