The Creative Mind: Myths and Mechanisms

by Margaret A. Boden

Book Overview

Draws on computer technology to explain how we think new thoughts and how creativity occurs. With examples ranging from story writing to chess to physics, the author explains how all forms of creativity spring from the same cognitive devices.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0465014518
• ISBN13: 9780465014514
• Release Date: November 1992
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

COGNITIVE ASPECTS OF COMPUTATION REVIVIFIED!

The past few decades have witnessed enormous growth in the field computer applications.Automation has entered almost every field of human endeavor.With new advances in Applied Electronics supplimented by innovative Software designs,high end computing has been able to mimic human capabilities if not replace them.With the development of Artificial Intellegence applications,computers seem to simulate human decision making capabilities as well.All over the world Neural Network researchers are exploring the possibilities of creating an electronic nervous system which they think(strong AI) would replace human capability.This approach has evoked the intrest of scientests from diverse fields like Psychology,Philosophy,Neurology,Cybernetics...giving birth to an entirely new field called"Cognitive Science".As one explores deep into the human mind and the complex functionings of the brain the very term Artificial Intelligence seems to be a contradiction in terms,these days a newly coined term "Synthetic Intelligence" is much used which clearly reflects the inter disciplinary nature of the field,here Dr.Mervin Minsky's definition of AI holds good:"AI is the science of making machines do things that requires intelligence if done by humans". Dr.Margaret Boden has done extensive research in the field of Cognitive Science at the University of Sussex and is considered as one of the greatest authorities in the field of Cognitive aspects of computing.This is a very delicate area because it involves lot of moral,philosophical and ethical issues.In this pioneering work she examines creativity from the scientific perspective delving deep into the conceptual spaces of mind and goes on to propose with proven convictions that what is the need of the hour is the synthesis of Computational Models of Mind and Computer Designs inspired by the Biological Functionings of the Human Machine.This calls forth for immense interdisciplinary interaction at all levels.While advocating ths she does not forget the essential underlying reality of consciousness,the charm and wonder of spontaneous creativity.Dr.Boden's work removes the walls that seperate different fields of scientific pursuits.I'm just reminded of Dr.john Snyder's words.."If one were to build a computer with as many electronic interconnections as we have in the human brain,that computer will occupy the whole area of the state of Texas!". Dr.Boden approaches the essential gift of being human ie:Human Creativity with deep reverence and precisely for this very reason we get to understand in scientific terms the best in us and machines!