A Definition of Genius

Subjective Envy
Most of us, at one time or another, have called someone a 'genius.' The connotation is usually quite positive. It brings to mind images of Plato, Maria Curie, and Blaise Pascal. All of these people seemed to possess genius according to the dictionary definition: someone with extraordinary intellectual ability, originality and creative power, someone excelling in a strong natural talent (Dictionary.com, pars. 1). However, the dictionary has too many conflicting variations on the definition to be of any serious help. Consider Vincent van Gogh. He has long been considered a…