A generator function, in the context of complex systems and cognitive evolution, refers to a fundamental mechanism or process that enables the continuous emergence and propagation of novel capacities, patterns, or structures within a given system. It serves as the underlying source that catalyzes creativity, adaptation, and the ongoing evolution of more sophisticated forms of organization and functionality. By driving the self-organizing dynamics that allow a system to transcend its initial conditions, a generator function facilitates the perpetual coalescence of new potentials and the realization of higher-order integration. This concept is integral to understanding how intelligent systems—whether biological, technological, or social—sustain their advancement and resilience in the face of an ever-changing environment.

See also: emergent property, network theory, nonlinear dynamics, systems thinking