Is genius from nature or nurture?

1. 92

   Docmoposted 12 years ago

   Is genius from nature or nurture?
   
   Recent studies have proven that spending 10,000 hours of focused practice on any activity along with assertive mentoring  can make one an expert. But I wonder what do people class as genius? Can this be attained through practice?

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2. 76

   jenntyl99posted 12 years ago

   I believe that the answer to this question lies in both nature and nurture.  A person can be born a genius/intelligent but if that is never nurtured within that person's environment, it will be a skill that is essentially lost.  However, a person could also be born of average intellect and work hard and be exposed to varied things throughout life and become super intelligent. 
   
   I am not inclined to believe that nature or nurture is solely responsible for determining a person's ability because there are so many variable that come into play.  I have seen many examples of people who were highly intelligent, yet they did not achieve great success and on the reverse end of this I have also seen many people who would be considered average achieve greater success than anticipated.
   
   This is a great question and one which sparks great debate.

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3. 61

   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   I think that foundation of good intellect has to be there to start with.  No amount of practice will make a person with the IQ of a low functioning person become a high functioning intellect.  I think the bottom line is that the foundation begins with nature and is cultivated by nurture.

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4. 81

   phillippeengelposted 12 years ago

   Praxis is much more important than theory of course. You cannot simply lounge on the chair and imagine that you are genius. Being a genius must have its evidences, and those evidences must be legitimate and accepted unanimously by others. A person can become a genius through toil, thinking, enacting and practicing a discipline or more.
   
   A genius should contribute to the society with their knowledge and impart their skills to their followers. He should be modest despite being looked up upon for his intelligence. Moreover, being a genius takes self-discipline, and he should aspire towards a better future for the people, his citizens and family.

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5. 66

   Amy Bechererposted 12 years ago

   I believe most of who we are is determined by genetics.  Reading, study and   memorization can allow a human being of average intellect to reiterate verbiage, but the comprehensive depth relegating genius, requires the ability to understand far-reaching, conceptual ideas.   
   
   I believe the term "genius" is a measurement of IQ that is present at birth, determined by genetics.  I don't believe all geniuses realize their gift. The application of assertive mentoring could help unveil and develop genius in gifted individuals, but I don't believe it can create the ability in someone chromosomally or intellectually challenged.
   
   Since the age of the internet, the term "expert" is bantered about indiscriminately and carries little validity.  It is often qualified by the "expert".  Expert and genius are not quantitatively related one to the other.  A genius would understand that no one knows "everything about anything", with the pursuit of knowledge and understanding his/her driving motivation (learning for learnings sake).  An expert may or may not satisfy the intellectual qualifications of genius, but, regardless, claims foremost authority in an area of expertise.

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6. 0

   setarehposted 12 years ago

   Ever heard that genius is determined by the number of folds in one's cerebrum? I have, and apparently the more the folds, the more surface area which i think is useful for the nervous system. I'm sorry i can't quite remember all the facts because i read it years ago.
   Still, i like to think nurture, because that's what affects a person's willingness to work hard and become more.

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7. 82

   Mr Archerposted 12 years ago

   In my estimation, either one is, or is not, a genius. The key words in the post are "10,000 hours of focused practice". Not everyone is capable of that criteria of focused practice. If the ability is not there to begin with, no amount of focus will acheive the genius level of intellegence. On the other hand, some persons viewed by others as having "special needs", can, in fact, be highly intelligent to the point of being genius, yet remain outside the realm of most of the population's ability to recognize them as such.
   
   On another front, we have all heard of twins separated at birth, growing up never knowing one another until years later. Some have literally lived within walking distance from one another, yet never met. But when their lives are examined, startling similarities come to the surface. Even though these twins were raised in separate households, with totally dissimilar family situations, they may wind up with the same tics, habits, even to the point of naming their children the same names, marrying people who are named the same, or developing the very same habits.
   
   So, I fully believe the ability must be present in order to develop to the point of higher intellegence. Where you live, with whom you are raised, plays a much lesser part in our ability to learn than having the opportunity to advance our intellect. If the drive is there, the learning will occur. If it is absent, no amount of exterior force will create intellegence.

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