Experience of Doing Science with an Artistic Spirit

In today s science-dominated society, what §importance do the arts hold? Historically, many §eminent scientists engaged in the arts, but little §qualitative research showcases scientists today who §do. This work gives voice to four contemporary §highly able scientists with expertise in their field §who self-identified as actively engaged in fine §arts. Shared are their perceived experiences of §doing science and the role of the arts in their work §and lives as scientists. Through hermeneutic §phenomenological methodology using thematic §analysis, four themes emerged: 1)Risking Success in §a Scientific Vocation; 2)Feeling Healthy through the §Arts; 3)Gaining and Giving Different Perspectives §through the Arts; 4)Feeling Connected to Something §More through the Arts. Each theme alludes to an §aspect of aesthetic experience or extracognition §(that which does not come from basic cognitive §influences), emphasizing the role of the arts in §attaining such experiences. Implications are §discussed on aesthetic experience, extracognition and§interdisciplinary education in today s context of§science education. This work will be insightful for§science and art educators and gifted education.