Hofstadter's Creative Wordsmithery

Hofstadter mentions on page eighty six of Fluid Concepts, that it is his firm belief that pattern perception, extrapolation and generalization are core elements of creativity. Furthermore, “one can only understand such cognitive processes only by modeling them in the most carefully designed and restricted microdomains” (Hofstadter, p.86). I would certainly agree with the first assertion, from what I have already read in this book there is no doubt in my mind that perceptual regrouping is a staple of creativity. Concerning generalization, the ability to associate patterns and extract analogies, I would have to agree with Hofstadter that it is another crux of creativity, and would go further and say it is a staple of foresight, prediction, and higher intelligence as well. As for the second assertion, I personally have no experience or knowledge in creating modeled intelligent processes in a carefully designed microdomain, but I am sure to find out by reading the rest of the book. I would imagine that one would undoubtedly run into multiple problems and hurdles trying to model creativity, it seems logical that the more confined the parameters the easier it could be. However, the pure essence of creativity is to be free of restrictions and parameters, it will be insightful indeed to see Hofstadter’s method of modeling a program to have the aspect of creativity. One can surely create a program to look like it is creative or random, but nonetheless a program executes given instructions and formulas, even if there is natural variables and extremely complicated computations. So can a program, computer, or A.I. truly be random or creative, since it can only do what it is instructed to do, I am sure Hofstadter will address his view on this later in the book.
Initially I had reservations about this book after viewing the first few pages and realizing that there was a great deal of math involved. However, after completing the first chapter there is much more than mathematical patterns discussed. Hofstadter’s literary canvas of the first chapter paints all sorts of mind blowing concepts, such as perceptual regrouping, conceptual spheres, and variations on themes. I am actually looking forward to reading the rest of the text, which is extremely rare for me personally. The ending to this chapter is quite a tease and sets up the rest of the book. With Hofstadter laying the initial framework of his definitions of intelligence and creativity in the first chapter he baits the reader to explore more of his book, with the sentence, “This article of faith (his definitions of intelligence and creativity) has guided me and my research group over the past decade and a half, and the remainder of this book is dedicated to conveying the results of those investigations.” (Hofstadter, p.86) Indeed another parry from the wordsmith and literary artist that is Douglas Hofstadter.

Hofstadter, Douglas. Fluid Concepts And Creative Analogies. 1995. Basic Books. New York, NY.