B. Lack of a Proper Definition: It is very difficult to provide a clear definition of brilliance, like most terms in the field of humanities. There are several reasons for this. We will explain some of them below.
Being Under the Influence of Prejudiced Assumptions
The impact of assumptions is another factor contributing to the diversity of the definitions of concepts in the humanities, such as the concept of genius and brilliance. According to the Western thinkers, especially liberalists, having a creative mind which is free from any beliefs is the most crucial element of a brilliant talent. Since according to them, having fixed beliefs is not compatible with the requirements of a good researcher. Brilliant talents can only develop through questioning, criticizing, transcending the existing data, and generating new ideas. This is against the views of Islamic scholars and philosophers. According to whom, lack of belief in fixed principles and inability to hold permanent foundational knowledge is a sign of a weakness. From their point of view, gifted geniuses, thinkers, and first-rate scholars are the ones who, in their rational and cognitive dimension, have conquered the highest peaks of knowledge and achieved the most indisputable rules governing the world and man.
Diversity of Factors Influencing the Realization of Talent
Diversity of the influencing factors on the realization of creative talents is another obstacle in the way of reaching a realistic definition of talent. Especially influential environmental factors and favorable or unfavorable social conditions have a great impact on the actualization and development of their talents. Many of the characteristics of talented and normal students depend on their socioeconomic level, not their cleverness. So the better their economic status, the more likely they are to be physically and mentally healthy. Although all children -human beings in general- have many common characteristics that serve as bases for different classifications and are also used for a better understanding of them, they also have distinguishing features. All children have similarities as well as differences. Differences and individual characteristics of children can sometimes lead to misunderstanding about them. So a child may be regarded as a gifted, normal, or retarded depending on how desirable or inappropriate their characteristics are from the point of view of their parents or teachers. So we must admit that children are different, and it does not mean they are either gifted or intellectually disabled. The differences and characteristics of children can be due to inheritance or environment. In other words, children are not only born as different individuals, but as they grow older, more and more differences emerge among them. So, understanding the types and extent of individual differences in children is essential for teachers and parents.
Diversity of Areas of Talent
Diversity of areas of talent (cognitive, emotional, and behavioral) is also an important factor contributing to the diverging views on the definition of genius and creative intelligence. This has led some scholars to turn to the multifaceted approach to defining talent despite the emphasis of most education and psychology scholars on the subjective dimension of brilliant talent.
Defining Talent
Talent has been referred to by various terms and expressions, such as gifted, genius, outstanding, and intelligent. The term genius and talented are more common than others. In the next part, we first briefly define the term “gifted” and then, while explaining the concept of genius, we will make a comparison of the two.
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Characteristics of a Good Researcher (Part 1)
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