Background
An essence is something concentrated that retains its basic properties. It is the internal factor that gives something special characteristics. For instance, perfume is the essence of flowers, and grapes are the essence of wine. Thus, an essence is a root or source element, what we use to identify with something, or what makes something “real.” Because essence is a source element, it defines what is and what can be. Essence provides potential,
boundaries, and scope. It communicates meaning, which leads to nderstanding.
Each problem has an essence that defines what is and what can be. By examining the “what is,” it is possible to explore the “what can be.” That is, understanding essence makes it possible to extract potential ideas from problem statements, because all problems exist on a continuum of abstraction. Thus, the essence of a given problem is that broad concept behind it. The essence of reducing crime, for instance, might be prevention.”
In this case, the “what is” could be “incidence of crime” and the “what can be” might be “reduced incidence of crime.” This activity is very similar to What’s the Problem? [70] in concept, but different in execution. The basic principle of searching for an “essence” is in both. When using What’s the
Problem?, attention is focused on increasingly abstract levels of the original problem’s verb. For instance, a problem of how to increase parking would focus on progressively more abstract ways to increase things (not just parking). When using Essence of the Problem, in contrast, attention is focused on different perceptions of the “essence” of “increase parking.”
Taken From : Pfeiffer 101 Activities for Teaching Creativity
