Polymaths faded as knowledge exploded, yet may matter more than ever
Ancient and medieval scholars could roam freely across disciplines. From the 17th century, as discoveries poured in, mastering many fields grew nearly impossible. Cambridge historian Peter Burke calls the polymath an intellectual species in retreat, yet argues that people who can bridge the gaps between specialisms are needed now more than before.
The word joins Greek roots meaning many and to learn. Plutarch noted that the muse Polyhymnia was sometimes called Polymatheia, linked to the soul's urge to gain and keep knowledge. In 1603 the Hamburg philosopher Johann von Wowern published the first Western European treatise with polymathy in its title, and the English word first appeared in 1624 in the second edition of Robert Burton's The Anatomy of Melancholy.
Renaissance humanism held that human potential was limitless, so a courtier might be expected to speak several languages, play an instrument and write verse. Leonardo da Vinci became the archetype, admired for unquenchable curiosity. The phrase Renaissance man itself only entered written English in the early 20th century. Universities of that age trained students broadly in science, philosophy and theology before any specialised apprenticeship, although the Latin universitas originally just meant a guild or community.
Robert Root-Bernstein revived scientific interest by contrasting the polymath with the specialist, deep but narrow, and the dilettante, broad but shallow. He argues the creative process is the same across art and science, which explains why so many innovative scientists pursue serious artistic hobbies. With Michèle Root-Bernstein he described six patterns of creative life, from prodigies who never deviate to people who move serially from one field to the next.
Education researchers have followed. Bharath Sriraman's 2009 paper on a three-year study of 120 trainee maths teachers found those most engaged with Russell's paradox showed more polymathic traits. James Kaufman and Ronald Beghetto proposed a scale running from everyday mini-c polymathy to the rare Big-C kind, requiring intelligence, creative drive and a supportive environment.
Source: Polymath
