A computational framework for conceptual blending

We present a computational framework for conceptual blending, a concept invention method that is advocated in cognitive science as a fundamental and uniquely human engine for creative thinking. Our framework treats a crucial part of the blending process, namely the generalisation of input concepts, as a search problem that is solved by means of modern answer set programming methods to find commonalities among input concepts. We also address the problem of pruning the space of possible blends by introducing metrics that capture most of the so-called optimality principles, described in the cognitive science literature as guidelines to produce meaningful and serendipitous blends. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate how our system invents novel concepts and theories in domains where creativity is crucial, namely mathematics and music.

Subjects

Answer set programming

Cognitive science

Computational creativity

Conceptual blending

DDC Class

004: Informatik

Funding Organisations

Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD)

More Funding Information

The research presented in this article was partially supported by the COINVENT project (FET-Open grant number: 611553). Manfred Eppe received support by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) as participant in the FITweltweit programme. Oliver Kutz and Roberto Confalonieri were supported by the unibz CRC project COCO “Computational Technologies for Con-cept Invention”.

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https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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1-s2.0-S000437021730142X-main.pdf

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759.41 KB

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A computational framework for conceptual blending