Definition of practical creative thought and innovation

The concept of “thought” is not well defined. It may include the totality of thought, or it may signify only a momentary phase of it. Physiologically, thoughts are brain processes on a neural signaling level. Large areas of the brain are dedicated to the processing of sensory information. Some brain nuclei are related to basic biological needs, drives, and emotions. However, the frontal lobes of the brain are associated with thought in solving scientific or practical problems, in important phases of pattern recognition (the base of much of innovation), and in developing strategies.

“Creative” thought (restricted to practical creativity) shall be defined here as the recognition or establishment of new thought associations or as the recognition of patterns. Innovation shall be defined here as the result of creative thought in the form of new and practically valid concepts or new systems of thought. Not included in the definition of creative thought in the context of this article are simple reflexes and memory look-up chores, such as counting (even though they may be seen as rudimentary creative thoughts). Nor is artistic creativity included; that is more strongly related to the sensory signal processing areas of the brain. Artistic creativity is also related to moods or emotions. These are closely related to mid-brain and limbic system structures of the brain.