The importance of imagination in today's economy

Why imagination is important in the 21st century is that it allows us to remain competitive in a swiftly changing global economy

By Xavier Pavie

Published: Mar 28, 2023 04:22:28 PM IST

Updated: Mar 28, 2023 04:57:45 PM IST

Imagination allows us to address complex global problems Image: Shutterstock

In today’s competitive world, imagination is a valuable tool that enables us to explore various ideas and establish new possibilities. The significance of imagination has become more apparent than ever before in the 21st century. Due to the fast-paced development in technology, globalization, and the increasing complexity of our world, the capability to envision novel possibilities and think creatively is essential for success.

One of the most important reasons why imagination is important in the 21st century is that it allows us to remain competitive in a swiftly changing global economy. With evolving technology, new industries and jobs are emerging, and old ones are becoming obsolete. In order to thrive in this dynamic setting, individuals and organizations need to be able to think creatively and devise new approaches to tasks. For instance, businesses that can picture novel products or services, or novel ways of marketing and distributing them, are more likely to succeed than those that rely on conventional methods.

Another critical reason why imagination is important in the 21st century is that it allows us to address complex global problems. The globe faces various challenges, such as climate change, poverty, and inequality, which require innovative solutions. These problems are interconnected and require us to think outside of the box and come up with fresh approaches to tackle them. For example, an architect may come up with a building design that reduces energy consumption, or a scientist might come up with a new way to clean the oceans.

Imagination also plays a crucial role in personal growth and development. It enables us to set goals, dream big, and make plans for the future. Imagination can help us escape the monotony of our daily lives and open up new opportunities. It can also assist us in developing new skills, exploring new interests, and discovering our passions.

Imagination enables us to remain competitive in the global economy, address complex global problems, and improve our personal and emotional well-being. As our world continues to evolve and change, the ability to think creatively and envision new possibilities will become increasingly crucial. Encouraging imagination and creativity in ourselves and others should be a priority in education, the workplace, and our personal lives. By fostering imagination, we can establish a brighter future for ourselves and the world around us.

Also read: Use of imagination

To have a better appreciation on the importance, let’s look at two schools of thought on this.

David Hume’s theory of imagination

David Hume's theory of imagination emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence and the limitations of human knowledge. According to Hume, imagination is a complex mental faculty that is central to human cognition, perception, and memory. It is essential for our ability to form ideas and concepts.

Immanuel Kant’s theory of imagination

Kant believed that imagination was a key faculty of the mind that allowed humans to think creatively and come up with new ideas. It is essential to creative thinking and artistic expression.

Kant argued that imagination is a cognitive faculty that allows us to create mental representations of objects and events that are not present to our senses. Kant distinguished between two kinds of imagination: productive imagination and reproductive imagination. Productive imagination is the ability to create new mental images or concepts, while reproductive imagination is the ability to recall previously formed mental images or concepts. Kant believed that the human mind is constantly using both forms of imagination to make sense of the world around us.

David Hume vs Emmanuel Kant

David Hume's focused on the role of association in shaping our mental images and concepts. He argued that our ideas are not innate but are instead the result of our experiences and the associations we make between them.

In contrast, Emmanuel Kant's focused on the active role of the mind in constructing our experience of the world.

Despite these differences, both Hume and Kant recognized the crucial role of imagination in human cognition and experience. They both agreed imagination as the key to creative thinking, artistic expression, and even scientific discovery. Hume believed that the imagination was the foundation of all human knowledge, while Kant saw it as the source of our ability to think creatively and to form aesthetic judgments.

Also read: Why some employees improve their creativity and others don't

How imagination will benefit the society in 50 years

Two years ago, when I was working at one of the largest financial technology companies in China, I personally experienced severe gender discrimination. Since then, I’ve been wanting to find a way to minimize, or even eliminate, the gender bias in modern society. Gender equality has been a goal for many years, and despite some progress, there is still a lot of work to be done. Technology has the potential to help close the gender gap and promote equality, and there are many inventions that could achieve this. One potential invention that could help improve gender equality in the future is the gender-neutralizer.

The gender-neutralizer is a device that can be used in a variety of settings to reduce gender bias and promote equality. It is a small, wearable device that can be attached to clothing, jewelry, or other accessories. When activated, the gender-neutralizer emits a frequency that alters the way people perceive gender.

For example, if a woman is wearing the gender-neutralizer and enters a meeting, her male colleagues will perceive her as an equal, regardless of her gender. They will be more likely to listen to her ideas and treat her with respect. Similarly, if a man is wearing the gender-neutralizer and enters a traditionally female-dominated profession, such as nursing or teaching, he will be more readily accepted by his colleagues and students.

The gender-neutralizer can also be used to reduce gender bias in job interviews. Many studies have shown that women are often discriminated against in job interviews, even when they are equally qualified as male candidates. The gender-neutralizer can help level the playing field by making all candidates appear equal, regardless of their gender.

In addition to its potential applications in the workplace, the gender-neutralizer could also be used in education. Many studies have shown that girls are often discouraged from pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields because of gender bias. The gender-neutralizer could help to reduce this bias and encourage more girls to pursue STEM careers.

Another potential application of the gender-neutralizer is in sports. Women's sports are often given less attention and funding than men's sports, and female athletes are often paid less than their male counterparts. The gender-neutralizer could help to reduce these disparities by making it easier for female athletes to be taken seriously and treated equally.

Also read: Keep brainstorming—your best ideas are still to come

Of course, there are some potential drawbacks to the gender-neutralizer. Some people might argue that it is important to celebrate and acknowledge differences between genders, rather than erase them. Additionally, some people might be uncomfortable with the idea of altering the way they perceive others. However, these concerns can be addressed through education and awareness campaigns.

In conclusion, the gender-neutralizer has the potential to revolutionize the fight for gender equality. By reducing gender bias and promoting equality in the workplace, education, and sports, it could help to create a more equitable society. While there are certainly some potential drawbacks to the invention, these can be addressed through education and awareness campaigns. If the gender-neutralizer becomes a reality, it could be a significant step forward in the ongoing quest for gender equality.

Xavier Pavie, Philosopher, Professor at ESSEC Business School, Director of iMagination Center