ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that John Stuart Mill departs from the Romantic conception of genius in three related ways: first, he rejects any 'mystical' and supernatural aura surrounding the common conception of Romantic genius. Mill's conception of genius should be considered in line with his philosophical naturalism: all men, including men of genius, are subject to the same laws of nature. Thus, although men of genius have some exceptional qualities, Mill thinks that they should not be thought of as 'seers' or 'prophets'. Second, Mill attempts to ground genius in an empiricist theory of knowledge. In his understanding, all knowledge of the world comes through empirical observation, which includes the knowledge gathered by men of genius. Third, Mill understands genius to be more egalitarian in nature than the Romantics do. Genius, for him, is linked to what he calls the 'faculty of thought itself' and therefore might differ in degree, but not in kind, between individuals.
