Deconstructing Genius - A Conversation with Darrin McMahon

This book is based on an in-depth conversation between Howard Burton and intellectual historian Darrin McMahon, Dartmouth College. The word "genius" evokes great figures like Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Mozart but what quintessential quality unites these individuals? Can we measure it? Can we create it? This thoughtful conversation explores Darrin's research on the evolution of genius from Plato to Einstein in an effort to illuminate what our evolving genius mythology reveals about the rest of us.
This carefully-edited book includes an introduction, Something to Declare, and questions for discussion at the end of each chapter: I. Opening Up Sightlines - The genius of intellectual history II. The Equality Paradox - Some more equal than others? III. Towards The Dark Side - The genius as rule-breaker IV. Romantic Genius - Reinvented, suffering and zealous V. Nature vs. Nurture - A threat to equality? VI.
Evil Genius - The other side of the coin VII. Geniuses Everywhere - The superhuman condition? VIII. The Future of Genius - Next steps IX. Gradually Expanding - Genius as cultural phenomenon X. The Science of Genius - Brainology and other tales About Ideas Roadshow Conversations Series: Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research featuring world-leading researchers but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research.