Although "genius" is difficult to define, one of the qualities of genius is [b]the ability to transcend traditional modes of thought and create new ones. [b]Explain what you think the above statement means and discuss the extent to [b]which you agree or disagree with this definition of genius. In your [b]discussion, be sure to include at least one example of someone who, in your [b]opinion, exemplifies genius or a particular characteristic of genius. (统一 [b]和分歧) [b][b]I strongly agree that true genius is the ability to see beyond conventional [b]modes of thinking and to suggest new and better ones. This definition [b]property sets genius apart from lesser instances of critical acumen, [b]inventiveness or creativity. Under this definition, a true genius must [b]successfully (I) challenge the assumptions underlying a current paradigm, [b]and (2) supplant the old paradigm with a new, better, and more fruitful one. [b]This two-pronged standard for true genius is aptly illustrated by examining [b]the scientific contribution of the century astronomer Copernicus. Prior to [b]Copernicus, our view of the universe was governed by the Ptolemaic paradigm [b]of a geocentric universe, according to which our earth was in a fixed [b]position I at the center of the universe, with other heavenly bodies [b]revolving around it. Copernicus challenged | this paradigm and its key [b]assumptions by introducing a distinction between real motion and motion [b]that s merely apparent. In doing so, he satisfied the first requirement of [b]a true genius. [b]|ad Copernicus managed to show only that the old view and its assumptions [b]were problematic, we would not consider him a genius today. Copernicus went [b]on, however, to develop a new paradigm; he ' claimed that the earth is [b]rotating while hurtling rapidly through space, and that other heavenly [b]bodies only appear to revolve around the earth. Moreover, he reasoned that [b]his view about the earth's real motion could explain the apparent motion of [b]the sun, stars and other planets around the earth. It turned out he was [b]right; and his theories helped facilitate Galileo's empirical observations, [b]Kepler's laws of planetary motion, and Newton's gravitational principle. [b]To sum up, I find the proposed definition of true genius incisive and [b]accurate; and the example of Copernicus aptly points up the two required [b]elements of true genius required by the definition. [b]