What is genius?

Defining genius appears to be far more complex than one might imagine. It’s not one size fits all, according to Dean Simonton, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, affiliated with the University of California’s Department of Psychology.

Simonton is known for his research in the field of genius spanning more than four decades. His research shows a high IQ is not a prerequisite for genius. He argues someone with average intelligence and high persistence will more likely produce genius. He says having a high IQ may provide potential but it doesn’t necessarily provide the high level of creativity or critical thinking required.

His preferred definition of genius is “someone who makes a major and unique contribution to a culturally valued domain that is intellectually demanding”.

Simonton describes two potential paths – scientific genius and artistic genius and argues traits that lead to genius on one path would get in the way of genius on the other path, and vice versa. “Genius is not a homogenous phenomenon,” he says.

Yet Leonardo Da Vinci’s appears to defy this concept of two paths, as his contribution spans both scientific and artistic domains.

To this day, Da Vinci is recognised for his unique and lasting contributions through his mastery of painting, sculpture, architecture, engineering and human anatomy. Da Vinci was an influencer, whose reach continues to inspire generations of painters. According to Britannica, Da Vinci’s masterpiece, Last Supper is said to have “…become part of humanity’s common heritage and remains today one of the world’s outstanding paintings.”

His anatomical drawings are considered among the most significant achievements of Renaissance science.

His hydrological studies advanced the understanding of the nature and movement of water, including the laws of currents.

His mechanical inventions included early iterations of a modern tank and modern helicopter.

Evidence suggests Da Vinci mastered domains in which he was not naturally knowledgeable. According to Britannica, Da Vinci did not apply himself to higher mathematics including advanced geometry until he was 30 years old, when he began to study it with diligent tenacity^1.

In keeping with the characteristics of genius identified by Simonton, Da Vinci demonstrated persistence, creativity and critical thinking. Without the benefit of modern technology, Google or AI, Da Vinci made extraordinary use of his powers of observation, which underpinned all his work in art and science, to innovate in ways that have arguably have been unsurpassed by a single individual in the 500 years since.

His illustration of his ideas and inventions in notebooks are artworks in themselves and considered a precursor of modern scientific illustration.

Britannica notes, “his notebooks reveal a spirit of scientific inquiry and a mechanical inventiveness that were centuries ahead of their time."

In an exclusive and intimate evening, we'll unpack the nature of genius across the many dimensions of DaVinci's mind and talents while sitting next to some of the illustrated notebooks of the master himself!

Due to venue size, seats are strictly limited!

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Sources:
britannica.com/biography/Leonardo-da-Vinci

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