The Creative Animal: How Every Animal Builds its Own Existence

Creativity is a fundamental resource for the individual, providing a new explanatory model of behavior capable of overcoming the image of the animal moved by automatisms. It is a factor that is anything but rare or exceptional in the animal world, constituting a fundamental quality for many aspects of animal life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 382 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Creativity is a vital resource for individuals, playing a pivotal role in their behavior and leading to innovative solutions. This book delves into the realm of creativity in the animal world, viewing it as a fundamental function for adapting to specific situations and as a catalyst for inventions and innovations. To understand creativity, the book emphasizes the concept of animal subjectivity, offering a fresh explanatory model of behavior that transcends the notion of animals as mere automatons. This model is founded on affective components, such as behavioral motives, and cognitive tools employed by the subject to achieve their goals. Special emphasis is placed on learning processes, which reveal the subjective nature of the animal's experience. Another topic explored is the role of creativity in the evolution of living beings. By modifying niche characteristics, inventions can alter selective pressures and shape the course of phylogeny. Roberto Marchesini emphasizes that creativity is not a rare or exceptional trait in the animal world but rather a fundamental quality that contributes to various aspects of animal life.

Creativity is a multifaceted concept that encompasses various aspects of animal behavior. It is not limited to a specific species or group of animals but is present across the animal kingdom. Creativity can manifest in various ways, such as problem-solving, innovation, and adaptation. In the animal world, creativity is essential for survival and adaptation. Animals must constantly adapt to changing environments and challenges to ensure their survival. Creativity allows them to develop new strategies, behaviors, and adaptations that help them overcome these challenges. For example, birds have evolved the ability to fly, which has enabled them to travel long distances and escape predators. This innovative behavior has allowed them to colonize new habitats and thrive in diverse environments. Similarly, animals have developed complex social structures and communication systems that enable them to cooperate and collaborate in order to achieve common goals. Creativity is also important in the realm of innovation. Animals have been observed engaging in innovative behaviors such as tool use, mimicry, and nest building. These behaviors demonstrate their ability to adapt and learn new skills, which can be crucial for their survival. Tool use, for instance, has been observed in many species of birds, including crows, who have been known to use tools to extract food from hard-to-reach places. Mimicry has been observed in many species of animals, including insects, which use mimicry to avoid predators or attract mates. Nest building has been observed in many species of birds, including bees, who use their nests to store food and raise their young. In addition to these examples, creativity is also important in the realm of artistic expression. Some animals, such as birds and dolphins, have been observed engaging in artistic behaviors such as singing, dancing, and painting. These behaviors demonstrate their cognitive abilities and their ability to create and appreciate beauty. Artistic expression can also be a form of communication, allowing animals to convey information and emotions to other members of their species. Overall, creativity is a fundamental resource for the animal world. It allows animals to adapt, innovate, and thrive in their environments. Creativity is not limited to a specific domain but is present across various aspects of animal behavior. By understanding and appreciating the role of creativity in the animal world, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexity and diversity of life on Earth.

Weight: 637g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031074134
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022