The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it

"The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science." These words from the great Erich Fromm offer a profound insight into the very essence of creativity and discovery. Fromm's wisdom suggests that puzzle, or wonder, is the driving force behind every great work, whether it emerges in the form of art or science. To be puzzled is to be in a state of humility before the unknown, to recognize that there are forces and truths that lie beyond our immediate understanding, yet beckon us to explore them. The creative process, in all its forms, begins with this very inquiry—the willingness to question, to be confounded by the world, and to seek answers that have yet to be found.

In the ancient world, the philosopher Socrates embodied this very principle. Known for his method of questioning, Socrates sought to engage with others by asking profound questions, many of which had no immediate answers. His Socratic method was based on the belief that truth could only be reached through the ability to be puzzled, to admit that one did not know, and through this humility, seek deeper wisdom. It is said that Socrates’ greatest wisdom was in knowing that he knew nothing—his capacity to be puzzled opened the gateway to endless inquiry. To the ancient philosophers, like Socrates, the act of wondering was not a sign of weakness but the very foundation of intellectual strength.

Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci, whose genius spanned the realms of both art and science. Da Vinci, too, was driven by a profound puzzlement with the world around him. His notebooks, filled with sketches of the human body, anatomy, flight, and the natural world, are testimony to his curiosity. He did not create in a vacuum; he was constantly questioning and exploring, often perplexed by the mechanics of the world, whether the way light played on the surface of water or the anatomy of a bird in flight. His creativity was born from his relentless drive to understand the mysteries that puzzled him. It was his willingness to wonder, to question, that propelled him to innovate in both the arts and sciences, leaving behind a legacy that spans centuries.

Fromm’s insight into the connection between being puzzled and creation is mirrored by the journey of Albert Einstein. The great physicist, often regarded as one of the greatest minds of the 20th century, famously said, "If you can't explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough." Einstein’s greatest breakthroughs in theory of relativity came not from blind certainty but from a deep puzzlement with the nature of space and time. His mind was filled with questions that seemed to defy conventional understanding. It was through his willingness to remain puzzled, to not accept the answers that everyone else believed were settled, that Einstein was able to create a new framework for understanding the universe. His work in science was a product of his intellectual humility and the willingness to admit that the universe was far more mysterious than he could ever comprehend.

Even in the realm of art, this capacity to be puzzled is essential. The great masters like Michelangelo, Picasso, and Van Gogh were not mere technicians; they were seekers, constantly trying to understand the world through their art. Picasso’s work, for example, can be seen as a constant effort to question and deconstruct traditional representations of reality. His move from classical realism to cubism was not an act of rebellion but an attempt to express the underlying puzzle of how we perceive the world in its multi-dimensional complexity. The work of an artist, like that of a scientist, is born from a deep-seated need to explore the world in all its ambiguity and mystery.

Fromm’s words also point to the importance of curiosity in our own lives. In a world that often values certainty over inquiry, it is crucial that we maintain our sense of wonder. The capacity to be puzzled is not just a trait of the great philosophers or scientists; it is a trait that can be cultivated in all of us. Whether we are solving problems in our work, navigating relationships, or seeking meaning in our lives, the ability to embrace mystery and question assumptions is essential for growth. To be puzzled is not to be lost but to be in a state of openness, waiting to be illuminated by the answers that may emerge with time.

The lesson from Fromm’s words is clear: the path to creation—whether in art, science, or life—begins with the willingness to be puzzled, to acknowledge that there is always something beyond our understanding. It is in that space of wonder that we open ourselves to the possibilities of discovery, whether through the brush of an artist or the equations of a physicist. In our own lives, we should seek to maintain that childlike curiosity, to never settle for easy answers but to remain open to the questions that challenge and inspire us. Through this process of questioning, of being puzzled, we uncover the most profound insights into the world around us.