Creativity is an important aspect of humanity, but is shrouded in mystery and mysticism. Only recently have scientific approaches in AI focused on the study of creativity per se, as opposed to simpler problem solving [1]. I propose a model of creativity that merges Minsky’s Society of Mind [2] with Baars’ Global Workspace Theory [3]. In particular, the model simulates the experience of spontane...

For anyone who knew Eric Voegelin personally, the question elicits a smile. “Why, of course, the distance is quite far” is my own, spontaneous answer. Voegelin’s habitus, as I know it from Munich as well as Stanford, was clearly that of a man of reflective distance, not of mysticism. Reflection was his daily mode of thought, accompanied by reading, writing, and discussing. Distance was his way ...

Liminality is a concept introduced by Victor Turner in the field of anthropology. According to him, myths can be designated as liminal phenomena which are neither here nor there; they are betwixt and between. Bill Viola is a video artist who has represented universal and pivotal dualities in his work, in a symbolic manner. The questions that this study tries to answer are as follows: What is th...