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Abstract:
A theory is suggested to explain practical (not artistic) creative thought and consciousness – showing how brain structure and neural signaling can lead to the occurrence of new concepts or ideas in the mind - through a combinatorial process based on memory elements and perceptions. A certain psychological readiness is a precondition. Focus retention and the analog parameter of neural firing rate conditioned by valuation are important physiological elements. Different types and levels of creativity are discussed, as is creativity improvement.

Table of Contents:

Summary

Part I: The Progression of Creative Thought

• 1.1. The significance of creative thought
• 1.2. What is creative thought?
• 1.3. The process and progression of creative thought
• 1.4. Conscious thought, subconscious thought, transitions
• 1.5. Intuition, ideas, and pattern recognition

• 2.1. Speech, Language, and thought
• 2.2. The effect of encounters on changes of thought
• 2.3. Different types and levels of creativity
• 2.4. Left-sided and right-sided thought
• 2.5. Creative attitude

• 3.1. What improves creative thought (intensity, caliber)?
• 3.2. Coherence of creative thought
• 3.3. Open questions
• 3.4. Can there be too much creative thought?

Summary:

Part I:
This essay discusses brain processes on a neural signal level as they occur in practical (not artistic) creative thought. Derived from the basic functions of neurons and the structure of the brain, the functioning of creative thought and consciousness is explained and presented in detail:

• The neural interconnections in long-term memory are recognized to account for associative memory activation.
• There is a need to explain the path selection in the sequencing of thoughts and the selective acceptance of thoughts into short-term, active memory. This can be explained by the effect of an analog, quantitative parameter ("value") of neural signaling, such as the firing rate of neurons, and by the observed combinations of activating and inhibiting synaptic connections. The strength of synaptic connections and, mainly, connections to the Amygdala and other parts of the Limbic System must also be considered.
• Awareness and consciousness can be explained by short-term and long-term memories of thought and by the selective acceptance of new thought in memory.
• Focused thought is an important aspect of creative thought. Focusing can be explained by back-referencing of later thought phases to initial, memorized focus thoughts under associated "value"-signal considerations. This also leads to the important explanation of delayed idea appearance at times much later than focus establishment.
• Two mechanisms explain the sudden, delayed appearance of ideas:
• quantitative parameter ("value") peaks in subconscious thought
• cross-connections in associative thought sequences.
• Pattern recognition is explained by cross-connection of associations and, more likely, by commonality of image element recognizing cells leading to recall of images in memory.

Part II:
This part of the essay discusses special aspects of creative thought:

• Speech and language in relation to thought
• Discontinuities of thought based on interruption by sensory input
• Different types and qualitative levels of creativity
• The importance of left-sided (of the brain) and right-sided thought for creativity
• The influence of attitude on creative thought.

More important, the coherence of creative thought is discussed leading to a theory of thought evolution similar to biological evolution. Interesting and important philosophical implications result from that.

The final discussion relates to limits of utility for creative thought in various settings.