“Creativity questions are a modern formulation of value questions. An employee who is creative is simply not only doing what they want, but they also understand the value of the activity they are promoting.” – Ruth E. Hagengruber
In an era of advancing AI, Ruth Hagengruber’s talk on creativity at the “Künstliche Intelligenz” symposium offered a view on the relationship between human creativity and the role of values. According to Hagengruber, creativity is far more than just doing what one pleases. It is the modern expression of value questions, deeply rooted in philosophical traditions where the concept of the Good and the Beautiful are intertwined. A creative employee doesn’t simply generate new ideas—they understand the value of the work and elevate it to meet real needs.
Hagengruber argues that while machines have achieved combinatorial creativity (the ability to combine existing ideas in new ways), the true power lies in explorative creativity. This type of creativity is inherently human, involving cultural, historical, and educational perspectives that add depth and meaning to our innovations. It is through explorative creativity that we pass down knowledge, fostering solutions that address challenges in sustainable and meaningful ways.
Creativity, Hagengruber emphasizes, is not just valuable in itself but is crucial for problem-solving. A creative individual can address an organization’s unique needs and craft solutions that fulfill a broader purpose. Ultimately, creativity becomes an act of overcoming necessity, turning what could be a fleeting idea into something with lasting significance. For Hagengruber, the creative spirit is not only the highest corporate value but a universal one—central to the survival and growth of any community, organization, or culture.
“Another question that arises is whether AI also influences our knowledge structure.” But more about this you can read in Women Philosophers on Economics, Technology, Environment, and Gender History.
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