“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.”
- July 26, 1875 – June 6, 1961
- Born in Switzerland
- Psychiatrist and psychologist
- Founded analytical psychology and proposed the concepts of archetypes and the collective unconscious
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Quote
“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.”
Explanation
In this quote, Carl Jung emphasizes that creativity is not a product of logical thinking or intellectual effort, but rather stems from a deeper, instinctual force—what he calls the play instinct. Jung argues that true innovation arises when the creative mind engages with the world not from a place of rigid analysis or calculation, but from a sense of spontaneity and joyful exploration. The creative process, for Jung, is driven by a natural inner necessity that compels the individual to express or form something new, often through a playful interaction with the objects, ideas, or materials that they are passionate about. This form of creativity is not about controlling or mastering the objects of the mind, but rather about developing a relationship with them—where the mind “plays” with these objects freely, allowing for surprises, discovery, and the emergence of new ideas. Jung’s view contrasts with the idea that creativity is simply a result of intellectual reasoning or technical skills; it is, in fact, a more organic, fluid process.
Historically, this quote reflects Jung’s broader psychological view of the unconscious and the importance of intuition and instinct in the creative process. For Jung, creativity was not a purely rational endeavor; it was deeply connected to the unconscious mind, which houses the archetypes and symbols that shape human experience. He believed that the unconscious expresses itself through images, fantasies, and symbols that can inspire creative work. This is why creativity often involves a playful, free-flowing engagement with the world around us—an interaction that allows the unconscious to inform and guide the creative process. Jung often referred to the importance of symbolic thinking and the use of metaphor in artistic expression, suggesting that creativity comes from allowing the deeper self to engage freely with external materials, rather than from rigid intellectual control.
In modern psychological terms, Jung’s quote is consistent with contemporary theories of creative cognition and the role of play in creativity. Research in creativity studies suggests that the most innovative ideas often emerge when individuals engage in nonlinear, exploratory thinking—what some call lateral thinking—rather than focusing solely on logical problem-solving. The concept of the play instinct aligns with the modern understanding of divergent thinking, which encourages exploring multiple possibilities and embracing uncertainty in the creative process. Studies also show that play, particularly when it is joyful and non-judgmental, facilitates problem-solving and innovation by allowing individuals to connect seemingly unrelated ideas and generate novel solutions. Jung’s emphasis on creativity as a form of play highlights the importance of freedom, improvisation, and passion in the creative act—suggesting that the best creative work often comes when we allow ourselves to engage with our passions in a way that is uninhibited and full of discovery.
