Journal of Artificial General Intelligence 6(1) 21-54, 2015 Submitted 2015-08-16 DOI: 10.1515/jagi-2015-0003 Accepted 2015-11-26 Choosing the Right Path: Image Schema Theory as a Foundation for Concept Invention∗ Maria M. Hedblom
[email protected] Department for Knowledge and Language Engineering (IWS) Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Germany Oliver Kutz
[email protected] Research Centre for Knowledge and Data (KRDB) Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy Fabian Neuhaus
[email protected] Department for Knowledge and Language Engineering (IWS) Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Germany Editor: Tarek R. Besold, Kai-Uwe Kuhnberger,¨ Tony Veale Abstract Image schemas are recognised as a fundamental ingredient in human cognition and creative thought. They have been studied extensively in areas such as cognitive linguistics. With the goal of exploring their potential role in computational creative systems, we here study the viability of the idea to formalise image schemas as a set of interlinked theories. We discuss in particular a selection of image schemas related to the notion of ‘path’, and show how they can be mapped to a formalised family of microtheories reflecting the different aspects of path following. Finally, we illustrate the potential of this approach in the area of concept invention, namely by providing several examples illustrating in detail in what way formalised image schema families support the computational modelling of conceptual blending. Keywords: image schemas, grounded cognition, computational creativity, concept invention, conceptual blending 1. Introduction The cognitive processes underlying concept invention are still largely unexplored ground, although promising theories have been developed within the last few decades.