On The Reality And Construction Of "Genius"

Genius,which usually refers to individuals with a standard intelligence test score?140,is the major objects and core concept in modern gifted research.Under a historical background that talents became first resources around the world,gifted research had widely received large attention as an interdiscipline.In recent years,however,the controversy between realism and social constructionism about the concept of "genius" had been sustained within the academic community,which deeply influenced the development and value of gifted research.Clarifying the causes of this conceptual controversy,and redefining the essence of genius are not only important for gifted research itself,but also provide experience for solving similar disputes in other social science disciplines.From a theoretical starting point of the symbolic reality,it is proposed that symbols are technological artifacts carrying ideas,while terminology is the application form of symbols in the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge.The main framework of this study is therefore determined,that is,starting from the meaning of"genius",then examining its terminological definition in philosophy and modern scientific research,and further demonstrating its attributes as cultural constrains,finally answering two core research questions:(1)What is the fundamental causes of the conceptual controversial?(2)What is the essence of "genius" as symbol?In this study,multiple methods,including historical document analysis,content analysis,social network analysis,and semantic network analysis,were applied to large amount of empirical fact about genius.We first revealed the history and meaning of"genius" as well as its practical implication.Second,the interpretations of "genius"given in different stages of the history of Western philosophy were examined,especially the influence of romanticism on modern gifted research.Third,we reviewed the birth of the scientific definition of "genius" and discussed the dual relationship between science and "genius" from the perspective of philosophy of science.By comparing the similarities and differences of genius between China and the West in the same period,the cultural constraint attribution of "genius" was testified,thus proving that the concept of genius is indeed an outcome of construction.Finally,based on the persistence of"genius" symbols in different cultures and historical periods and the commonness of different meanings and terminological definitions involved,we proposed a theoretical expression of genius as a symbol and its object.The symbolic reality of "genius",on one hand confirms the existence of genius as an objective fact,and on the other hand explains the diverse explanations of "genius"in different cultural environments.This study will help to clean up the obstacles for the future development of gifted research and gifted education,and opening up a new path for solving the similar controversies over concepts in other social science disciplines.As a symbol,the value of "genius" lies not only in the achievements made by the individual genius,but also in indicating the ability categories and achievement realms that should be paid special attention to by its symbolic function,so as to promote the talent discovery and cultivation in the relevant fields.