Autopoietic Systems Diagram for Describing Creative Processes

Takashi Iba

How creative processes are possible? In order to answer the question, our
previous study (Iba 2009) proposed a new theory for creativity based on the
autopoietic systems theory (Maturana & Varela 1980; Luhmann 1984). In the
theory, a creative process is defined as an autopoietic system whose elements
are “discoveries.” In other words, creative process is a re-production network of
discoveries. Each discovery is emerged only when a synthesis of the following
three selection occurs: “idea,” “association,” and “finding”. While we cannot
predict the direction of any creative processes due to the nature of contingency,
we can retrodict the process with the terms of the theory. However, the way to
comprehend the creative process remains unclear, since our previous study only
suggested a framework. Here we propose a method to describe creative
processes in a diagram, which we call “autopoietic systems diagram.”
Furthermore, we also show some examples from our own experiences of
creative processes. We anticipate that the proposed method and diagram will be
useful toolkits like the ones of System Dynamics (Forrester, 1961; Sterman 2000)
and Soft Systems Methodology (Checkland 1981; Wilson 1984).

Checkland, P.B. (1981) Systems Thinking, Systems Practice, John Wiley &
Sons.
Forrester, J.W. (1961) Industrial Dynamics. Pegasus Communications.
Iba, T. (2009) “An Autopoietic Systems Theory for Creativity”, 1st Collaborative
Innovation Network Conference.
Luhmann, N. (1984) Soziale Systeme: Grundriß einer allgemeinen Theorie,
Suhrkamp. (English translation: Social Systems, Stanford University Press, 1995)
Maturana, H.R. & Varela, F.J. (1980). Autopoiesis and Cognition: The realization
of The Living, Springer.
Sterman, J.D. (2000) Business Dynamics: Systems Thinking and Modeling for a
Complex World. McGraw Hill.
Wilson, B. (1984) Systems: Concepts, Methodologies and Applications, John
Wiley & Sons.

College, University, Industry Represented: Keio University

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Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, Volume 2, Issue 4, The 1st

Collaborative Innovation Networks Conference - COINs2009. Edited by Kenneth
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