Inspiration and Genius

15 Jun, 2000 150 Psychology

Melvyn Bragg explores genius and inspiration. “When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him”. So said Jonathon Swift, many people’s choice for a genius himself. But what does that word really mean? Are geniuses born or made? And what are the circumstances necessary for the great leaps of consciousness that inspire the development of science and art? Did Einstein’s brain arrive like that - markedly different from the expected formation - or did it become like that through thought? If genius does not exist, why are we so keen to invent it? Was Mozart programmed or pre-programmed and was Newton or anyone else solely responsible for inventing anything?With Arthur I. Miller, Professor of History and Philosophy of Science, Department of Science & Technology, University College London; Michael Howe, Professor of Psychology, Exeter University; Dr Juliet Mitchell, psychoanalyst and lecturer at Cambridge University.

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Guests

  • Arthur I. Miller No other episodes
    Professor of History and Philosophy of Science, Department of Science & Technology, University College London
  • Michael Howe No other episodes
    Professor of Psychology, Exeter University
  • Dr Juliet Mitchell 3 episodes
    Psychoanalyst and lecturer at Cambridge University

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Programme ID: p00546v2

Episode page: bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00546v2

Auto-category: 150 (Psychology)

Hello (First sentence from this episode) Hello. When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.