The Roots of Human Creativity: Fire-Talks and “Hammocking“ in the Runaway Species

Humans are neophile, curious, and explorative animals with impressive capabilities for creative problem-solving. I discuss some of the ultimate roots behind human creativity while reviewing two books on creativity and problem-solving. To E. O. Wilson, the driving force behind creativity is our insti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Evolutionary studies in imaginative culture 2019-12, Vol.3 (1), p.99-104
Main Author: Høgh-Olesen, Henrik
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
creativity
evolution
gene-culture coevolution
group selection
inclusive fitness
neophilia
novelty-seeking
problem-solving
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Summary:Humans are neophile, curious, and explorative animals with impressive capabilities for creative problem-solving. I discuss some of the ultimate roots behind human creativity while reviewing two books on creativity and problem-solving. To E. O. Wilson, the driving force behind creativity is our instinctive love of novelty, and creativity's ultimate goal is “self-understanding.” I elaborate on and question this assumption. The theories of inclusive fitness and group selection are discussed, with Wilson in favor of the latter. Finally, the theory of gene–culture coevolution is introduced as fundamental to the unity of science and the humanities and to closing the gap between these two cultures. Eagleman and Brandt's volume is more of an entertaining history of design and human inventiveness than a study in creativity as such. We hear about the three main operations of creative process: bending, blending, and breaking, and these operations are the primary means by which all ideas evolve, according to the authors.
ISSN:2472-9884
2472-9876
2472-9876
DOI:10.26613/esic.3.1.127