By cognition is meant mental power, the performance of the brain. This varies among individuals but we can see when considering humans as a whole that there is a certain level which is characteristic of all humans and separates us from other animals. For instance, we can plan for the future, utilise past experiences, teach ourselves a wide variety of skills and engage in myriad activities which have nothing to do with our survival as a species.

Considering the high end of human cognitive achievement for a moment, we recognise that it is represented by our best scientists and among these there are, and have been, a small number of individuals who have furthered our scientific knowledge to an inordinate degree. Just think of the great names from the golden age of physics in the early twentieth century, of which Albert Einstein or Max Planck are among the best known to the general public.