posted May 17, 2010 03:08 AM         

In the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer, a genius is someone in whom intellect predominates over "will" much more than within the average person. In Schopenhauer's aesthetics, this predominance of the intellect over the will allows the genius to create artistic or academic works that are objects of pure, disinterested contemplation, the chief criterion of the aesthetic experience for Schopenhauer. Their remoteness from mundane concerns means that Schopenhauer's geniuses often display maladaptive traits in more mundane concerns; in Schopenhauer's words, they fall into the mire while gazing at the stars.

"Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see."

— Arthur Schopenhauer

In the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, genius is the ability to independently arrive at and understand concepts that would normally have to be taught by another person. For Kant, originality was the essential character of genius. This genius is a talent for producing ideas which can be described as non-imitative. Kant's discussion of the characteristics of genius is largely contained within the Critique of Judgement and was well received by the Romantics of the early 19th century.

In the philosophy of David Hume, the way society perceives genius is similar to the way society perceives the ignorant. Hume states that a person with the characteristics of a genius is looked at as a person disconnected from society, as well as a person who works remotely, at a distance, away from the rest of the world...

In the philosophy of Nietzsche, genius is merely the context which leads us to consider someone a genius. In Twilight of the Idols, Nietzsche writes,

"Great men, like great epochs, are explosive material in whom tremendous energy has been accumulated; their prerequisite has always been, historically and physiologically, that a protracted assembling, accumulating, economizing and preserving has preceded them -- that there has been no explosion for a long time."

[— Friedrich Nietzsche]

In this way, Nietzsche follows in the line of German Idealism.

posted May 17, 2010 09:17 AM         

oh well. so did I. I know if i ever hit a bump, I get the best advice I can get!

I've been through his books, he highlights parts where there is stuff written about genius, I used to roll my eyes and be disgusted by his arrogance. "do you know what a genius really is?" he'd say... "what are you trying to say"... I'd' think.... why the hell do some geniuses always want everyone to know they are one.... WHY? Can't it just be self evident?
He has a great big heart, but he knows how to spoil the mood.

You are a great man Valus, the people with eyes to see can see that.
You don't need to make the "others" see it... just do what you do other than this. It's not important, it's obvious you are a magnificent thinker, don't waste your time like this.... gah!

posted May 17, 2010 05:59 PM         

quote:

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I have a genius IQ and am in the minority when it comes to creative talent. The way my eye and mind work together is heading toward genius. I don't see it though - i always question my creations and feel inadequate.

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posted May 18, 2010 07:43 AM         

Thank you for posting those quotes Valus and giving me a clearer understanding of the definition.

posted May 22, 2010 12:27 AM         

quote:

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You are a great man Valus, the people with eyes to see can see that.
You don't need to make the "others" see it... just do what you do other than this. It's not important, it's obvious you are a magnificent thinker, don't waste your time like this.... gah!

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Thanks.

But I think this is important. It's a part of my experience, or maybe just an area of my interest, and, since I'm something of a water-bearer, it makes sense for me to want to post about it and share it with others. Yes, there's a lower part of me that wants to "show them", but there are higher motives as well.

One thing I've come to see is how my shadows are related to my light. I am one, not two. The things we do in the service of our higher selves are often exactly what the ego wants us to do! Often, the difference is just our reason for doing it. And that reason isn't always apparent. Our best reasons are entangled in our worst, and it requires continual effort to keep the mind right.

posted May 22, 2010 01:01 AM         

I agree, everyone has something.

I think, if people could see their gifts,
they'd be able to see others' gifts, too.

When we have a particular gift,
and don't realize that we have it,
we'll expect everybody to have it.

If we don't understand
the unique perspective we contribute,
we won't understand that there are
other ways of perceiving.