Creativity Naturalized.

TitleCreativity Naturalized.
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsKronfeldner, Maria
Journal titlePhilosophical Quarterly
Year2009
Pages577–592
Volume59
Abstract

I argue that creativity is compatible with determinism and therefore with naturalistic explanation. I explore different kinds of novelty, corresponding with four distinct concepts of creativity - anthropological, historical, psychological and metaphysical. Psychological creativity incorporates originality and spontaneity. Taken together, these point to the independence of the creative mind from social learning, experience and previously acquired knowledge. This independence is nevertheless compatible with determinism. Creativity is opposed to specific causal factors, but it does not exclude causal determination as such. So creativity can be naturalized.

Languageeng
DOI10.1111/j.1467-9213.2009.637
Publisher linkhttp://pq.oxfordjournals.org/content/59/237/577
Unit: 
Department of Philosophy