There is a rare trait that lies between talent & intelligence that distinguishes true geniuses.

Photo: "Ocean's 8" (2018)

Understanding philosophy can be a real intellectual challenge, but one author has set out to make it simpler for the public. Julien de Medeiros takes quotes from famous philosophers and explains them in more understandable language. He recently addressed the philosopher Schopenhauer's ideas on the difference between talent and genius.

The 19th-century philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer saw the world as fundamentally irrational and driven by desire. He believed that people could find peace by reducing the influence of desires and focusing on compassion, seeing this as a way to reduce suffering and bring more stability to society.

The rare trait between talent and intelligence that distinguishes true geniuses: imagination

A famous quote by Schopenhauer explains the difference between talent and genius:

“Talent hits a target that no one else can hit. Genius hits a target that no one else sees.”

Being talented and intelligent means working hard and thinking deeply, but being a genius means constantly creating new versions of the world and ideas that don't yet exist.

According to Julien de Medeiros' interpretation, "Talent is very good at competing with others; for example, if you are talented at something, you do something with ease that others find difficult."

But genius works differently: “It’s not about being better than others at something that is already known to be important. Genius is being so far ahead of your time that others don’t yet understand the value of what you’re doing.”

A talented person works within what already exists, while a genius imagines a better future for everyone.

“A talented person is someone who is recognized for their ability,” says de Medeiros. “A genius is someone who does something that no one else can imagine yet.”

A strong and vivid imagination is essential for geniuses, because it allows the creation of ideas that do not yet exist.

Schopenhauer emphasized that genius must use imagination to see not only what nature has created, but also what it has attempted to create but has not fully realized.

Although this idea seems philosophical and abstract, its meaning is clear: imagination is what allows people to create new ways of living and thinking.

Genius and intelligence come in many forms. Modern science has shown that intelligence can be social, emotional, and relational, so there is not just one form.

Genius can also manifest itself in unusual ways.

It can also be linked to empathy and high creativity. Some highly intelligent people are extremely sensitive to others and very creative in the way they think.

Geniuses are also often very curious and want to learn constantly. Studies show that high curiosity is directly related to intelligence. They accept that they don't know everything, but they try to learn as much as possible.