ABSTRACT

General features of creativity are discussed, aimed at providing a clear definition. In the view of general design theory, creativity is seen as a communication process aiming at consistency between different intensional and extensional representations of design. Basic concepts of classical neuropsychology and the functional structure of the brain are reviewed, emphasizing the self-controlling role of the mid-brain. Based on these, a model of creative behavior analogous to the brain model is presented. A key concept is called view, a restricted field of attention, or the momentary collection of objects and relations considered interesting in a situation. Drawbacks of traditional knowledge bases in implementing the model are pointed out, and their development towards creative behavior is discussed. The approach aims at deriving new connections and analogs between neuropsychology, general design theory and knowledge engineering, with special emphasis in the motivating forces of creativity.