The Concept of Genius - Essay Example

Research Essay Name: Research Essay Course: Tutor: Institution: Date: Introduction The concept of genius has over the years served as a key debate topic across disciplines in the world. In this regard, the topic emerges on four specific dimensios. Higgins and Burns (2012, p.6) in a legacy analysis OF Henri Nouwen stated that on one hand, some people believe that genius individuals are born and therefore the genes serve as the determinant factors between being genius and being normal. Moreover, others assert that being genius is acquired from the environment. Therefore, this group of individuls argue that such geniuses are developed overtime despite their being born as normal human beings of average perfomances. Thus, as Padgett and Seaberg (2014, p.18) who reviewed the case of Padgett brain damage that made him a mathematical genius argued, the category associates genius development relies on environmental changes and conditions. Further, an additional group argues againist the existence of genius individuals. In this regard, the category peeives such individuals as only above average performers with no special attributes or traits than all other average human beings. Therefore, this category group associates genius with opportunities and fate on selected and isolated issues and instances (Rosenzweig, 2005, p.206). Finally, is the last category that perceives genius as an interconection between heredity and environmental developments. This essay develops an argument to evaluate the perceived perceptions and subsequently develop a conclusion on the supported ideological perception. Hereditary Factor A majority of the studies associate brain performance with human genes. This can be evidenced by the argument developed by Chew, Ebstein and Zhong (2012, p.3). In the argument, the authors sought to establish the relationship between brain performance and individual genes. In this regard, the study established that there exists a direct proportional relationship between an individual’s brain performance rates and their genes. Therefore, based on this analysis, the study concluded that respective individual traits and behaviours were directly affected by their genes. This is based on the perception of the brain central nervous system as the control centre through which all body related messages are communicated and relayed. Therefore, individual respective behaviours such as ability to communicate and make decisions among others are reliant on the respective individual genes. An additional genes evaluation sought to evaluate relationship between individual behaviours and decision making models as compared to their family and relations lineage. In this regard, the study by Olsen, Bojesen, Gerdes, Lindorff-larsen and Bernstein (2007, p.93) sought to evaluate the relationship and similarity on individual traits and behaviours’ based on shared genes sequence such as exposure to cancer through genes heredity. In its analysis, the study established the existence of a direct relationship among individuals with shared genes sequence from family relations. In this regard, the study revealed that individuals with shared genes sequence possessed almost similar interest, dislikes as well as shared decision making models and perceptions. Therefore, the study concluded that human beings traits and ability to resolve issues are shared. It is based on these analyses that the proponents of genius as a hereditary aspect derive their argument facts. In this regard, the proponents argue on the existence of a link between individuals’ behaviour and decision making models to their genes sequence with shared genes sequences portraying similarity in decision making models and approaches. Therefore, the proponents’ asset that is only through hereditary that individuals acquire genes that enables them be genius. In order to affirm this argument, examples of individuals perceived as born geniuses can be illustrated through illustrations of great personalities such as Sir Isaac Newton. Based on his legendary history of being a school dropout, the case of Newton and his famous and revolutionary law of gravity discovery are applied as a case of born genius (Hall, 1996, p.56). The proponents of this argument state that despite Newton’s misfortune I school and formal academic performances. His inherent traits enabled him emerge as one of the greatest scientists of all times over history. This essay argues that indeed the case of Newton illustrates how genes and inherently inborn traits serve as a key determinant in the assertion that genes are a basis for genius development. Environmental factors proposition Larmaks theory of evolution is a major theoretical component for the proponents of the argument that genius are developed and not born. In this case, the theory holds that individual develop their traits and characteristics through a use and disuse approach. On one hand, for the organs that are increasingly used, they develop and evolve onto increased use performance. On the contrary, individual organs not put onto increased use become vestigial and dysinfunctional. In this regard, Zhao (2009, p.152) argued on the role of environment in developing individual genius talents. In this regard, the authors developed a study evaluating the nature of individual performances based on their environmental factors. In this regard, the study evaluated the performances between European based women as well as the African women. As such, the study evaluated their traditional and current nature of involvement on organizational performances as well as in higher education participation. The study developed a hypothesis, that the environment had a direct impact in individual performances as well as their mind and brains working capability. The study established the European women registered increased participation in organizational leadership as well as qualifications to higher education than their African peers. In this regard, it concludes that the existing African culture, led to a low and reduced opportunity for active involvement in education and organizational leadership. As such, the study argued that failure by women to participate in higher education was not due to lack of capability but the external environment influence. Proponents of the environmental factor as a major contributor to individual genius argue that the environment through which individuals grows in play a part in their mental and mind development. Therefore, as Howe (2001, p.26) citing the case of Faraday who invented electricity argued, through increased external environmental support, individuals grow their mind working capabilities to the level of geniuses. Therefore, the proponents argue that regardless of genes inheritance, individuals can evolve to geniuses through increased support. One of the applied case studies as an example of Steve Jobs, the founder and former CEO Apples. The proponents of this genius development theory argue that through increased involvement and participation as well as interaction he developed his expertise. Steve Jobs in his own improvement ideology, believed on the concept of continuous improvement and innovative technology (Isaacson, 2011, p.44). Therefore, his emergence and growth trend demonstrated how increased efforts as well as favourable environmental supportive factors increase an individual’s mind creativity performance and the eventual attainment of exemplarily performance classified as genius. Combination of Hereditary and Environmental Factors Besides the separate arguments that genius are either born or developed, there is the argument that the development of genius brains and performance is reliant on both inherent and environment factors. This argument can be argued through a review of Charles Darwin theory. The theory argues on the explanation of the human evolution theory. In this regard, it holds on the concept of struggle for existence and survival for the fittest. Through this approach, the theory argued that due to resources constraints, human beings were required to adopt innovative life approaches through which to counter the scarcity. Davids and Baker (2007, p.973) argued on the nature and extent of interrelationships between environment and individual genetics in improving their mind performances as well as talents like in sports. In this regard, the study argued ad established that human genes were greatly influenced by the existing external environmental conditions. In this regard, a case of sports talents and the environmental influence was evaluated. Consequently, the study concluded that through the establishment of appropriate supportive external environmental conditions, individual talents were developed consequently expanding on the overall genius theory development. In addition, Shavinina (2003, p.297) on the concept of genes and environmental concept interactions, argued that genes development could not be separated from the external environment. However, the author stated that the external environmental implications were not a driving force enough to attain and develop genius. This can be explained through the fact that although individuals could be subjected and offered similar external environment growth factors, their performances and achievements in respective fields is always different due to their internal genetic sequence differences. Therefore, this analysis and argument demonstrates that despite the role played by the environment in developing geniuses, the individual genetic sequences and differences play a significant role too. As such, the argument asserts that geniuses are developed and nurtured through a combination of both genes and environmental implications. An example of this argument can be illustrated through historical geniuses such as Shakespeare. He is a renowned writer who wrote a series of plays such as the famous Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet as well as the Merchant of Venice. The plays develop arguments and approaches in life that remain relevant today in the 21st century as they were in the 17th and 18th century (Potter, 2012, p.18). Consequently, the author is regarded as a play and poetry genius of all times. A review of Shakespeare as a genius establishes the interrelationship between genes and environment role in growing and developing genius. The author, though attributed with a poetry and writing talent art, developed and grew his art and expertise through increased persistence and great length learning to widen his writing as well as poetry and life perception scope. Conclusion In summary, this essay evaluates the nature and concept of genius as perceived by different and diverse school of thoughts. Among the evaluated school of thought s and reasoning include the genetic attribution, environmental crediting and the school of thought arguing that genius development is a combination and a result of the interactions between genetics and environmental factors. On one hand, in the argument for the genetics theory, the essay establishes the case of related family members shared decision making models, as well as the role of environment and other external factors such as culture on mind performance and development. Moreover, the essay establishes that through theories such as Dawin’s theory of evolution support the interactions between the environment and individual genes. In this regard, through an evaluation of Shakespeare’s case study, the essay evidences on the nature and extent trough which an interaction between the two increases the development and growth of genius minds. In its summary, the essay agrees and supports the argument that indeed genius minds and subsequently genius individuals exist, thus directly opposing some arguments that there are no genius minds existence. Moreover, the essay supports on the concept of interactions between individual unique genes and the external environmental factors role in developing geniuses. As such, the essay asserts that individual genes play a vital role in the enhancement of talents development a key component for genius development. Moreover, the essay argues and concludes that through the existing external environmental factors, such talents and individual inherent capabilities are nurtured and supported. Therefore, the essay concludes that genius exists and they are as a result of both genes and environmental factors surrounding an individual. References Chew, S. H., Ebstein, R. P., & Zhong, S., 2012, “Ambiguity aversion and familiarity bias: Evidence from behavioural and gene association studies”, Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, vol. 44, no. 1, pp. 1-18. Davids, K., & Baker, J. 2007, “Genes, environment and sport performance”. Sports Medicine, vol. 37, no. 11, pp. 961-980. Hall, A, 1996, Isaac Newton: Adventurer in Thought, Cambridge University. Press, Cambridge Higgins, M., W, & Burns, K., 2012, Genius Born of Anguish: The Life & Legacy of Henri Nouwen, Paulist Press, New York Howe, M. A., 2001, Genius Explained, Cambridge University. Press, Cambridge Isaacson, W., 2011, Steve Jobs, Little, Brown, London. Olsen, K. R., Bojesen, S. E., Gerdes, A. M., Lindorff-larsen, K., & Bernstein, I. T., 2007, “Cost-effectiveness of surveillance programs for families at high and moderate risk of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer”. International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 89-95. Padgett, J., & Seaberg, M., 2014, Struck by Genius: How a Brain Injury Made Me a Mathematical Marvel. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Potter, L., 2012, The Life of William Shakespeare: A Critical Biography, Wiley-Blackwell, Malden MA. Rosenzweig, F., 2005, The Star of Redemption. Madison, University. of Wisconsin Press, Wisc. Shavinina, L. V., 2003, The International Handbook on Innovation, Pergamon, Amsterdam. Zhao, Y., 2009, Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization, ASCD Alexandria, Va Read More

Therefore, the proponents’ asset that is only through hereditary that individuals acquire genes that enables them be genius. In order to affirm this argument, examples of individuals perceived as born geniuses can be illustrated through illustrations of great personalities such as Sir Isaac Newton. Based on his legendary history of being a school dropout, the case of Newton and his famous and revolutionary law of gravity discovery are applied as a case of born genius (Hall, 1996, p.56). The proponents of this argument state that despite Newton’s misfortune I school and formal academic performances.

His inherent traits enabled him emerge as one of the greatest scientists of all times over history. This essay argues that indeed the case of Newton illustrates how genes and inherently inborn traits serve as a key determinant in the assertion that genes are a basis for genius development. Environmental factors proposition Larmaks theory of evolution is a major theoretical component for the proponents of the argument that genius are developed and not born. In this case, the theory holds that individual develop their traits and characteristics through a use and disuse approach.

On one hand, for the organs that are increasingly used, they develop and evolve onto increased use performance. On the contrary, individual organs not put onto increased use become vestigial and dysinfunctional. In this regard, Zhao (2009, p.152) argued on the role of environment in developing individual genius talents. In this regard, the authors developed a study evaluating the nature of individual performances based on their environmental factors. In this regard, the study evaluated the performances between European based women as well as the African women.

As such, the study evaluated their traditional and current nature of involvement on organizational performances as well as in higher education participation. The study developed a hypothesis, that the environment had a direct impact in individual performances as well as their mind and brains working capability. The study established the European women registered increased participation in organizational leadership as well as qualifications to higher education than their African peers. In this regard, it concludes that the existing African culture, led to a low and reduced opportunity for active involvement in education and organizational leadership.

As such, the study argued that failure by women to participate in higher education was not due to lack of capability but the external environment influence. Proponents of the environmental factor as a major contributor to individual genius argue that the environment through which individuals grows in play a part in their mental and mind development. Therefore, as Howe (2001, p.26) citing the case of Faraday who invented electricity argued, through increased external environmental support, individuals grow their mind working capabilities to the level of geniuses.

Therefore, the proponents argue that regardless of genes inheritance, individuals can evolve to geniuses through increased support. One of the applied case studies as an example of Steve Jobs, the founder and former CEO Apples. The proponents of this genius development theory argue that through increased involvement and participation as well as interaction he developed his expertise. Steve Jobs in his own improvement ideology, believed on the concept of continuous improvement and innovative technology (Isaacson, 2011, p.44). Therefore, his emergence and growth trend demonstrated how increased efforts as well as favourable environmental supportive factors increase an individual’s mind creativity performance and the eventual attainment of exemplarily performance classified as genius.

Combination of Hereditary and Environmental Factors Besides the separate arguments that genius are either born or developed, there is the argument that the development of genius brains and performance is reliant on both inherent and environment factors.

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