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An externalist approach to creativity: discovery versus recombination

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Abstract

What is the goal of creativity? Is it just a symbolic reshuffling or a moment of semantic extension? Similar to the contrast between syntax and semantics, creativity has an internal and an external aspect. Contrary to the widespread view that emphasises the problem-solving role of creativity, here we consider whether creativity represents an authentic moment of ontological discovery and semantic openness like Schopenhauer and Picasso suggested. To address the semantic aspect of creativity, we take advantage of recent externalist models of the mind suggesting that the mind is more than symbol recombination.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Universitario Internazionale, Arezzo, Italy

    Andrea Lavazza

  2. Institute of Consumption, Communication and Behavior “GP. Fabris”, IULM University, Via Carlo Bo, 8, 20143, Milan, Italy

    Riccardo Manzotti

Authors
  1. Andrea Lavazza
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  2. Riccardo Manzotti
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Correspondence to Andrea Lavazza.

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Lavazza, A., Manzotti, R. An externalist approach to creativity: discovery versus recombination. Mind Soc 12, 61–72 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11299-013-0124-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11299-013-0124-6

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