Philistine and genius

Name: Philistine and genius
Author: Boris Sidis

By Boris Sidis

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About This Book

The author contrasts narrow, materialistic popular culture—characterized by commercialism, militarism, and mechanical training—with the creative, individuating impulses that produce true originality. He diagnoses social and educational practices that repress latent subconscious reserve energies and traces their role in moral and intellectual stagnation, warning against compulsory drill, technical schooling, and preparedness. Drawing on psychopathology, he offers a psychological principle of stored reserve energy and advocates educational and therapeutic methods to discover and stimulate children's dormant capacities, promoting originality, moral feeling, and fuller intellectual development instead of mass conformity.

About the Author

Boris Sidis

Boris Sidis was an American psychologist and physician known for his work on the nature of mental illness and the mind. He contributed significantly to the understanding of neuroses and their treatment, as evidenced in his notable work "Nervous Ills, Their Cause and Cure," where he explores the psychological underpinnings of nervous disorders. Sidis also delved into the relationship between creativity and societal norms in his book "Philistine and Genius," examining how genius often clashes with conventional expectations. His interdisciplinary approach combined psychology, philosophy, and education, leaving a lasting impact on the fields of mental health and intellectual development.