Extraordinary minds, such as those of geniuses and savants, present another challenge for the theory of evolution. How could natural selection lead to the development of minds whose capabilities surpass the fundamental need for survival?
The human brain continues to be a profound mystery for scientists. While much has been uncovered about its functions, the question of how such an organ evolved in the first place remains even more elusive. This issue becomes particularly complex when we recognise that our brains possess abilities that surpass the basic needs of survival and reproduction. Intelligence, for instance, is not solely measured by the score we achieve on the most recent National Intelligence Test, but also by the particular type of intelligence that is most developed in an individual.
Howard Gardner, an American psychologist, identifies at least eight different types of intelligence: logical-mathematical, linguistic (verbal), musical (auditory), visual-spatial, kinesthetic (physical), naturalistic (environmental), interpersonal (social), and intrapersonal (intuitive). There are also suggestions to expand this list to include existential (philosophical) and moral-ethical intelligences.1 Beyond kinesthetic and naturalistic abilities, it is difficult to assert that animals demonstrate other forms of intelligence.
Geniuses and Savants: Examples
There is much more to this phenomenon. Some individuals demonstrate exceptional talents in specific areas. Well-known examples include Albert Einstein, a brilliant physicist, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a master composer. There are numerous others who also possess extraordinary mental abilities. While some of these individuals are recognised as geniuses in their fields, others are identified as savants. A savant is a person who, despite having developmental conditions—typically autism—develops remarkable skills or abilities in other areas.
Truman Henry Safford (1836–1901) was a savant who displayed an extraordinary ability to perform rapid calculations from a young age. It is reported that, when asked by a teacher to calculate the square of the number 365,365,365,365,365,365, young Truman provided the answer in mere seconds. At the age of nine, he published his first astronomical almanac.2 Another remarkable savant, Kim Peek (1951–2009), had an extraordinary memory, having memorised around 10,000 books (some sources suggest 7,600), along with every ZIP code in the United States. Kim Peek also served as the inspiration for the 1988 film Rain Man.3
Another well-known savant, William James Sidis (1898–1944), is thought to have had an IQ estimated between 250 and 300. At just 18 months old, he was able to read The New York Times, and by the age of two, he could read Latin texts. By the time he was 12, he reportedly spoke eight languages, and as an adult, he had mastered up to 40. At the age of 12, he enrolled at Harvard University, becoming the youngest student in its history.4 During his first year, he left professors and students in awe with his theories on ‘entities in the fourth dimension’.5
Geniuses: A Problem for the Theory of Evolution
Genius and savantism are evident not only in scientific fields but also in the arts, such as painting, sculpture, and music. The intricacies of the human brain, alongside the existence of geniuses and savants, led Alfred Russel Wallace, a close collaborator of Charles Darwin and a key figure in the development of neo-Darwinism, to conclude that Darwinian natural selection could not fully explain its origin. Wallace believed that an intelligent force must have been involved in the creation of the human brain. This perspective ultimately contributed to the rift between Wallace and Darwin.6
Evolutionists remain challenged by the complexities of the human brain. In Darwin’s Ghost: The Origin of Species (2000), Steve Jones argues that, ‘Evolution does its job as well as needed and nothing more’.7 This suggests that natural selection only favours the development of traits essential for a species’ survival and the passing on of genes to the next generation. As Helen E. Fisher (1982) pointed out, even if you have flat feet, missing teeth, or poor eyesight, as long as you manage to produce offspring who survive childhood, natural selection would deem you successful.8
Over-Design: Surplus Abilities
What does this have to do with the remarkable mental abilities demonstrated by some individuals? It seems there is little direct connection. Exceptional talents in fields such as mathematics, logic, music, or the arts are not vital for human survival. Instead, they illustrate the concept of over-design, or excessive design. In other words, the human organism appears to be more advanced than necessary. While these extra abilities are not required for survival, they play a crucial role in advancing science, art, and philosophy.9
Natural selection shapes specific traits only in response to environmental pressures, making the human ability to build civilisations and unravel the profound mysteries of the universe seem unnecessary from an evolutionary perspective. The most compelling evidence of this lies in the individuals described earlier as geniuses. Such remarkable minds could not have emerged solely through the process of natural selection.
Conclusion
Geniuses and savants may seem extraordinary, but in terms of cognitive abilities, the average human mind is far closer to theirs than to that of an ape. The difference between the cognitive capacities of apes and humans is immense. For instance, an ape cannot reason logically, perform advanced calculations, compose philosophical works, examine microorganisms under a microscope, or even marvel at the stars while reflecting on the meaning of life.
This leads to the conclusion that natural selection could not even have shaped the average human mind. These extraordinary abilities point to the idea that humans and their world were the product of intelligent design, created by an Intelligent Designer, often referred to as God and Creator.
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Footnotes
- EduLider (n.d.) Koncepcja inteligencji wielorakich według Howarda Gardnera. Available at: https://www.edulider.pl/edukacja/koncepcja-inteligencji-wielorakich-wedlug-howarda-gardnera.
- Bergman, J. (2022) ‘The Problem of Over-Design for Darwinism’, Answers Research Journal, 15, pp. 11–20. Available at: https://assets.answersresearchjournal.org/doc/v15/over_design_darwinism.pdf.
- Brogaard, B. (2012) ‘Kim Peek, the Real Rain Man’, Psychology Today, 11 December. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-superhuman-mind/201212/kim-peek-the-real-rain-man.
- Sperling, A. (1946) ‘A Story of Genius’, in: Fell, F. (ed.) Psychology for the Millions, pp. 332–339. Available at: https://www.sidis.net/Sperling.htm.
- Ibid.
- Bergman, J. (2022) ‘The Problem of Over-Design for Darwinism’, Answers Research Journal, 15, pp. 11–20. Available at: https://assets.answersresearchjournal.org/doc/v15/over_design_darwinism.pdf.
- Jones, S. (2000) Darwin’s Ghost: The Origin of Species, Updated, New York: Random House, p. 98; cited in Bergman, J. (2022) ‘The Problem of Over-Design for Darwinism’, Answers Research Journal, 15, pp. 11–20.
- Fisher, H.E. (1982) The Sex Contract: The Evolution of Human Behavior, New York: William Morrow & Co., p. 15.
- Wójcicka, K. (2023) ‘Wielki mózg, wielki problem do wyjaśnienia’, W Poszukiwaniu Projektu, 20 January. Available at: https://wp-projektu.pl/teksty/teksty-autorskie/wielki-mozg-wielki-problem-do-wyjasnienia/.
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