Johnathan Bi Why “Innovation” Was a Crime in the 16th Century
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Jul 26, 2024 
Benoît Godin, an author specializing in the intellectual history of innovation, dives into the surprising history of innovation, revealing its past condemnation as a crime. He discusses how perspectives have shifted from viewing innovation negatively to embracing it as essential for progress. Godin contrasts originality with established wisdom and critiques the superficiality of modern innovation driven by narcissism. He emphasizes the importance of grounding new ideas in tradition and the delicate balance between innovation and imitation for authentic creativity.
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Core Definition of Innovation
- Innovation is artificial, deliberate change that disrupts status quo by violating expectations.
- This understanding pits innovation against natural human affairs and stability.
Classical View: Innovation Threatens Stability
- Plato and classical thinkers viewed innovation negatively because it disrupts an ideal, perfect state.
- They warned that novelty inflames desire for change, leading to societal instability and loss of concern for goodness.
Machiavelli’s Pragmatic Innovation
- Machiavelli’s positive view of innovation aligns with responding to crises, not innovation for its own sake.
- Innovation's purpose was to maintain stability amidst chaos, consistent with classical thought.