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Archimedes was capable of having his famous "Eureka!" moment, not necessarily because he was a genius bound for creative thinking, but primarily because he had sufficient _____.

A) Incubation
B) Illumination
C) Preparation
D) Intelligence

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Archimedes' "Eureka!" moment is best attributed to his sufficient preparation rather than genius alone. His readiness, combined with an insightful connection made during a routine activity, illustrates the power of preparedness and creative intelligence in discovery.

Step-by-step explanation:

Archimedes' famous "Eureka!" moment is largely attributed to his sufficient preparation. While his intelligence and creative thinking undoubtedly contributed to his insight, it was the extensive groundwork laid by prior knowledge and understanding of the problem at hand that allowed him to have this moment of discovery.

In the context of the story about Archimedes, this preparation involved understanding the problem posed by the king regarding the purity of his crown and mulling over the possible solutions. When he observed the water displacement in his bath, he connected this to the problem he had been considering, which indicates that it was his readiness and groundwork that set the stage for his creative breakthrough.

This process exemplifies the importance of creativity and creative intelligence, which is not just about having a eureka moment, but also about a deep level of engagement with the subject matter and the ability to bring forth novel solutions. Einstein's careful thought experiments reinforce the fact that clear, well-prepared thinking can lead to major scientific advances.

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