"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"

Carl Jung suggests that genuine creativity arises not merely from deliberate intellectual effort, but from an instinctual drive, a playful engagement with the things that hold personal meaning. Creativity, in this sense, is less about systematically solving problems or following rational processes and more about immersing oneself in the joy and wonder of one’s passions. When Jung refers to the “play instinct,” he alludes to an innate, almost childlike impulse to experiment, explore, and reimagine. This instinct is fueled by “inner necessity,” a compelling urge from within that seeks expression, transformation, or discovery.

Intellectual ability alone, with its focus on logic and structure, cannot fully account for the breakthroughs and innovations that characterize true creation. Instead, creativity flourishes when the mind is free to engage with ideas, materials, or concepts in a playful and unrestrained manner. The act of “playing” with the objects one loves isn’t frivolous or superficial; rather, it is intentional yet spontaneous, deeply rooted in fascination and affection. Artists, scientists, inventors, and thinkers often become so absorbed in their chosen field that their work resembles a form of play, joyful, exploratory, and unconstrained by rigid rules.

The implication is that creativity depends on both affection and freedom. When someone is genuinely interested in or emotionally connected to something, their imaginative faculties are activated, not out of obligation, but because they are drawn to interact with it in new and unexpected ways. The “play instinct” thus becomes the engine of creative activity, making novelty possible by breaking away from established patterns and allowing for the emergence of original ideas. Jung points out that this process is not contrived, but rather emerges from an authentic place within, the “inner necessity”, that compels one to express, shape, and engage with the world in a unique and meaningful way.