Deconstructing Genius: A Conversation with Darrin McMahon

Howard Burton

oct 2020 · Open Agenda Publishing

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This book is based on an in-depth filmed 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 (which led him to write the book Divine Fury: A History of Genius) 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: Presented in an accessible, conversational format, Ideas Roadshow books not only explore frontline academic research but also reveal the inspirations and personal journeys behind the research.