The heart of genius
Love is at the heart of genius.
When I was studying adult learning in the PhD program at the University of Chicago, I was fascinated—and disheartened—by the lack of heart and soul in the research literature. It was as if love had been systematically divorced from learning, leaving behind only cold, detached analysis.
Perhaps love felt too “mushy” or unscientific for academic research? But are the head and heart really so disconnected?
I would say no. Love is not anti-intellectual. In fact, the opposite is true. Our loves and passions inspire our intellects, fueling our drive to explore, create, and understand.
Tolstoy said, “Everything I know, I know because I love.” And Mozart echoed this sentiment, saying, “Neither a lofty intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love—that is the soul of genius.”
These words remind us that love is not only a feeling but a force—one that ignites the mind and connects us to something far greater than ourselves. Love provides the energy and depth that elevate learning and creativity into acts of genius.
To my mind, it’s very clear: the next step of human intelligence is love. When we embrace love as the foundation of learning and creation, we open the door to extraordinary possibilities.
