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HEIndividual fellowship2024–2026

nonbinarygenius · Non- binary genius: Intellectual hermaphroditism and androgyny in Spain (1892-1939)

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2024-03-01 → 2026-02-28
EU contribution
€165,313
Participants
1
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF

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Results in brief

Non- binary genius: Intellectual hermaphroditism and androgyny in Spain (1892-1939)

This project examined the historical construction of genius and its relation to gender, in particular non-binary definitions of gender, between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with a focus on Spain and its role within the European network of scientific circulation. It addressed how psychological and medical discourses incorporated gendered assumptions into the definition of intellectual ability, and how categories such as intellectual androgyny and hermaphroditism were used to explain both individual exceptionality and broader social hierarchies. The main objective was to analyse the gendered dimension of psychological knowledge by reconstructing the epistemic frameworks through which intelligence and genius were defined. In doing so, the project sought to contribute to the historiography of psychology and gender studies by demonstrating that these categories were not neutral, but historically situated and shaped by broader cultural and epistemic values. The project concludes that psychological theories of intellectual hierarchy relied on a persistent tension: while they often reinforced exclusionary views about women’s intellectual inferiority, they also introduced figures, such as the androgynous or hermaphroditic subjects, that destabilised binary models of gender difference that assumed masculine mental superiority. These figures operated as conceptual tools that both challenged and reconfigured dominant assumptions about gender, intelligence, and merit.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Geniuses have fascinated generation after generation, whether for their artistic achievements or their political work. However, what really constitutes genius is a question that remains undetermined. Though it is associated with a high level of intelligence, scholars from the 19th and 20th centuries argued that it took something else to be a genius. Intellectual hermaphroditism and androgyny were considered key aspects for the development of genius because of the benefits that both male and female traits could have for the equilibrium of the mind. This project focuses on the relationships between sex and genius in Spain from 1892 to 1939. I will explore how experts conceived sex differences for the explanation of genius and analyse the case of Hildegart Rodríguez, a famous Spanish child prodigy, who was specifically conceived and raised to become a genius and was later murdered by her own mother. There have been studies on genius and child prodigies that worked on the importance of genius for social progress and the lack of women genius. This project will go beyond these studies by shedding light on a non-binary conception of the mind. Through the approach of intellectual history, cultural history, and gender studies, I will work on three research objectives: 1) examine intellectual hermaphroditism or androgyny in the study of sex differences in relation to intelligence; 2) discuss how a non-binary conception of genius contributed to the nature vs nurture debate; 3) analyse correspondence and personal writings by Hildegart Rodríguez. Overall, this project aims to empower women and non-binary folk by investigating their historical role in the production of scientific knowledge.My strong background in History of Psychology, particularly in the study of intelligence and the circulation of psychological knowledge, combined with my supervisor’s expertise and the host group’s work, will ensure the successful implementation of this project.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridCoordinatorSpain

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union