Philosophers have been fascinated by
what makes a great man. Plato told of Scorates daimon that inspired
him. In the Renaissance, inspiration came from God. The cult of
genius in Europe in the early 20th century led to the rise
of Hitler. Today IQ tests are used to identify genius, but then
perhaps everyone has a genius in some area.
Devine Fury charts the changes in the
definition of genius from Plato through Terman. The book is packed
with information with chapters devoted to the Greeks, the
Christianity, the moderns, the romantics, geniology, or how to detect
genius, the religion of genius, and today's take on everyone's
genius.
I found the book very readable, but I
have to admit it helps to have at least a passing acquaintance with
the major philosophers. The book is packed the quotations
illustrating the philosophical theory under discussion. There are
also a myriad of pictures giving the artists' conception of genius. I
think it's interesting that genius originally was applied to the arts
and only lately became the province of scientists and politicians.
I highly recommend this book if you're
interested in the history of genius. I found it fascinating to trace
the thoughts about what constitutes genius and whether it resides
inside or outside the person, as divine inspiration from the gods or
God. It's not an easy book, but it's well worth reading.
I reviewed this book for Net Galley.
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