The Dynamic Universal Creativity Process

In this chapter we introduce the Dynamic Universal Creativity Process (DUCP), defined as the active ensemble of all creativity episodes in the evolution of our cosmos. It is shown how this construct descends naturally through a shift in the leading perspective in creativity studies: from a focus on static creative achievements to the consideration of dynamic processes, which even transcend their agents. Four mechanisms for the dynamic extension in time and space of creativity episodes are presented: continued exploration, concatenation, estimation, and exaptation. The concepts of wide-sense and strict-sense creativity are introduced to allow the consideration of four layers of existence in the DUCP: material, biological, psycho-social, and artificial. The theoretical and practical implications of these definitions are discussed, also in view of contributing to the mending of the cultural fracture between science and the arts, under the flag of creativity studies. A description of the creativity mechanisms characterizing the material, biological, psycho-social, and artificial layers is provided, highlighting intra- and inter-layer concatenation potential and achievements. Among other concepts, complex systems, biological evolution, bipedalism, neoteny, individual and social mind-based behaviour, as well as artificial intelligence, all find an integrated place in the framework of creativity studies, under the DUCP umbrella. Implications on educational systems of the future are drafted in the final discussion.