Genius: Theory, History and Technique

ISBN-13: 9783031270918 / Angielski / Miękka / 2023

Roberto Manzocco

Opis

Genius is a fascinating topic. Everyone has an opinion on it, but not a lot of clarity. Much has been written on the subject - biographies, autobiographies,  technical books, popular science books, and practical manuals - but genius in all of its dimensions has yet to be addressed. This book seeks to remedy that. What follows is a work of significant breadth that hopes to facilitate a nuanced popular understanding of the definition of genius, examining all of the main theories and approaches regarding the nature and origin of brilliance, the cognitive path that geniuses follow, and the difference that exists between “geniuses” on one side and “normal people” on the other. Pragmatic indications surrounding this issue are also examined, regarding such questions as: is it possible to become a genius or is genius innate? If it is possible, what is the path –  no doubt long and difficult – that one must take? Is there a method for becoming a genius that can be taught and learned? This book will appeal to anyone who has ever contemplated great ideas and works and wondered how they came into being.

Spis treści

Introduction

Why do geniuses fascinate us? The genius as a new “hero myth”

Chapter One

Origin and history of the concept of genius. The scientific study of genius. How do we measure  genius? Definition of genius. How do we determine who is a genius and who is not ? The concept of “misunderstood genius” and  “forgotten genius”

Chapter Two

The typologies of genius. Is there a “generic” genius or is genius always “specialized”? Is it possible to be a genius in multiple sectors of knowledge? Genius and  multiple intelligences. Political genius, military genius and business genius. Does it make sense to talk about “evil genius”? The concept of “reverse genius” (for example consider the movies of Ed Wood, so badly made as to become classics)

Chapter Three

Nature or culture? What  produces genius, genetics, environment, free–will (if it exists), or a mixture of these things? What role does  trauma have  in the development of a genius? And what about education? Up to what point is genius self-taught? Among  other things in this chapter we will introduce the “Darwinian theory of genius,” promoted by Dean Keith Simonton

Chapter Four

Genius and talent. How do they differ?

Fifth Chapter

Genius, IQ and intelligence. Why the link between IQ and genius is actually weak

Chapter Six

Genius and creativity. “Normal” creativity and “genius” creativity, difference of degree or qualitative difference?

Chapter Seven

Neurobiology of genius. The myth of Einstein 's brain

Chapter Eight

The “stroke of genius”, definition and psychological processes involved. Eureka and insight; inspiration and preparatory work. The cognitive process that leads to brilliant work: heuristics vs algorithms. Genius and serendipity

Chapter Nine

Is there a typical genius personality? Genius and “chameleon” personality. Genius and madness. Does madness help or hinder the work of genius?

Chapter Ten

Lifecycle of the genius. Surviving your own genius. The “swan song” phenomenon (the last great work of genius before the death); genius and the relationship with death. “Precocious” genius and “late bloomers”

Chapter Eleven

Sociability and loneliness, the presence of partners and mentors, teamwork and the concept of being “on the shoulders of giants.” Collective genius, historical epochs, zeitgeist and individual genius. Parallel discoveries

Chapter Twelve

What do geniuses think of their genius? Philosophy and genius; philosophy of genius. Is the genius aware of being so?

Chapter Thirteenth

Anders Ericsson and “deliberate practice,” or how to become a genius. Genius, performance and the rule of ten thousand hours of practice. The concept of cognitive modifiability. Can you become a genius? The geniuses and us, the “normal people.” Genius, deliberate practice and the world of sport

Chapter Fourteenth

The future of genius. Genius and AI. Genius and Genetic Engineering. Is it - or will it be – possible to reproduce genius?

O autorze

Roberto Manzocco is an Italian science writer, journalist, and historian of science who specializes in the history and philosophy of biology, technological innovation, and technological forecasting. After graduating with a degree in philosophy in 1999, he joined the Master’s Program in Science Communication at the International School of Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste, Italy. He worked as a science journalist, publishing more than 2000 articles over the course of five years. In 2008, Manzocco earned his Ph.D. in the History of Science at the University of Pisa. From 2008 to 2010, he was an Adjunct Professor in Philosophy of Science at the University of Udine. He has published four books, three in the field of so-called pop philosophy, and one on transhumanism.