How can mental choices make artifice?

[Cooliegirly]

"If a family is an expression of continuity through biology, a city is an expression of continuity through will and imagination - through mental choices making artifice, not through physical reproduction."

I am having huge trouble understanding the bold part of this sentence. Hope someone can help. Thank you.

[Alan]

Hi cooliegirly,

You've certainly picked some good questions this afternoon. You say you are puzzled by:

[Cooliegirly]

It does! Thank you very much!!