It is an interesting commentary on the poverty of our modern mindset to trace the development of the idea of "genius." In early Greek culture, a genius was an autonomous SPIRIT who came to a person in order to give inspiration. Here, genius was a Muse, a companion who acted as the source of all creativity. Later, "genius" morphed into a quasi-independent personification of the individual's OWN natural desires and appetites. In other words, genius was partly autonomous spirit, and partly an inner dimension of the person's own psyche. Today, we think of the PERSON themselves as a genius, a much more egoic conception of an inspirational source that was once viewed as a faithful companion. How much of our modern feeling of alienation and depression comes from this loss of the sense of relationship that comes from having a Muse?
Photo: Gambel oak leaf and the Three Muses; Arches National Park, UT; November 26, 2012
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