Inspiration and Genius
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.
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
Related episodes
-
Intelligence
1 Jul, 1999 150 Psychology -
Originality
20 Mar, 2003 800 Literature, rhetoric and criticism -
Human Nature
7 Nov, 2002 150 Psychology -
Artificial Intelligence
8 Dec, 2005 000 Computer science, knowledge and systems -
Albert Einstein
14 Sep, 2023 500 Science -
Wittgenstein
4 Dec, 2003 190 Modern Western Philosophy -
Imagination
28 Nov, 2002 150 Psychology -
The Brain
8 May, 2008 610 Medicine and health -
Science’s Revelations
29 Oct, 1998 500 Science -
Neuroscience in the 20th century
24 Dec, 1998 610 Medicine and health -
Common Sense Philosophy
21 Jun, 2007 100 Philosophy -
The Infant Brain
4 Mar, 2010 150 Psychology -
Episode 5
6 Jan, 2012 500 Science -
Goethe
6 Apr, 2006 830 German and related literatures -
Evolutionary Psychology
2 Nov, 2000 150 Psychology -
Mathematics’ Unintended Consequences
11 Feb, 2010 510 Mathematics -
Genetic Determinism
23 Sep, 1999 570 Biology -
Shakespeare and Literary Criticism
4 Mar, 1999 820 English and Old English literatures -
Mathematics
6 May, 1999 510 Mathematics -
Chance and Design
13 Feb, 2003 210 Philosophy and theory of religion
Programme ID: p00546v2
Episode page: bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00546v2
Auto-category: 150 (Psychology)