Organized by Dr. Natalia Hartinger and Dr. Douglas Giles
Weekly meetings will take place on Zoom on Thursday 9 – 11 a.m. (US Central Time) beginning on August 18, 2026. There will be at least 9 seminar sessions.
Content
The concept of genius has a long history. It has been associated with divine inspiration, innate talent, innovative originality, visionary leadership, exceptional intelligence, artistic creativity, and madness. While extraordinary individuals continue to fascinate us today, especially in technology, entrepreneurship, sports, and the arts, the notion has become increasingly contested, as contemporary discussions emphasize the socio-historical and institutional conditions that make it possible, raising the question to what extent genius remains a meaningful category.
This question is particularly relevant today, as we confront growing complexity, rapid technological change, and increasing uncertainty, circumstances in which the ability to find one’s way beyond established patterns and open up new possibilities becomes especially important. This seminar critically examines the notion of genius and explores it in terms of exceptional orientation skills. After a brief overview of the history of the concept, we will investigate what characterizes the orientation skills of geniuses in diverse contexts, including art, politics, science, entrepreneurship, invention, and sports. We will also consider the role of social recognition, historical circumstance, and norm transgression in the emergence of genius.
This seminar is discussion-based; this means that participants are expected to read the assigned passages before the sessions. The seminar is free, but seats may be limited. Please apply by August 10, 2026, via the application form below by briefly explaining 1.) your affiliation and professional/academic background, 2.) your philosophical interests, and 3.) your motivation for joining the seminar (max. 50 words per field).