Zeitgeist (n.) is a general cultural, intellectual, ethical, philosophical, and political climate within which certain writings and philosophies along with a general ambience, morals, socio-cultural directions, and moods associated with an era take place.
Zeitgeist (n.) is awareness of one's time but reflects critically on it in order not be asphyxiated by the spirit of that particular time and historical period.
The Zeitgeist (n.) is what is responsible for great change, not the genius or great man. The genius is but a midwife of the future; what they bring forth is mothered by the Zeitgeist, the Spirit of the Age.
The Zeitgeist (n.) is responsible for historical change. The genius has no consciousness of the general Idea they are unfolding. They merely had an insight into the requirements of the time—what was ripe for development.
The Zeitgeist (n.) cannot be outrun: philosophy is just its own time caught in thought, and believing one can leap past it is as foolish as believing one can jump over Rhodes.