What we can learn from polymathy?

ANNABELLE SCHAEFER

also a popular one. However, the general trend is glaringly obvious.

However, numerous historical figures with various skill sets spanning the scientific and creative realms are remembered as genii. This is the world of polymathy: where inventors are also magnificent sculptors, astronomers philosophise famously by night and physicians write profound poetry in their spare time. In a world that increasingly promotes and demands specialisation, some argue that polymathy died with Leonardo da Vinci. Others argue that the phenomenon has just rebranded and is demonstrated by individuals like Elon Musk. Essentially, identifying the ‘modern-day’ polymath is a controversial inquiry. In her Ted Talk titled Pageantry, Polymathy and Purpose, self-proclaimed polymath Stephanie Hill suggests that we are in the middle of a new Renaissance era with polymathy accessible to most. Whether or not people agree with this claim, one cannot deny that the conversation has largely revolved around men.

Traditionally, a ‘polymath’ refers to a famous individual who has had monumental successes in any number of unrelated fields. Linguistically, the term originates from the Greek words ‘polu’ and ‘manthanein,’ meaning ‘much’ and ‘learning’, respectively, which combine to form ‘polumathēs’: having learned so much. Other definitions include “a person who knows a lot about many different subjects” or, arguably more succinctly, “a person of Encyclopaedic learning”. Common to most lists of famous polymaths are names like Aristotle, Nikola Tesla and Benjamin Franklin. Occasionally, individuals like Marie Curie, Hellen Keller and Katherine Johnson make appearances. Nowadays, individuals like Steve Jobs, Donald Glover and Stephen Fry tend to appear after Google searching “who are recent polymaths?”. Actor Natalie Portman, who has a PhD in Psychology, is to the same questions: who are we and why are we here? These independent institutions have developed their own creative methods to seek these answers, investigations which Jemison is all too familiar with. The differing philosophies of these ‘avatars’ amalgamate to create new perspectives about the world, which is arguably where the power of polymathy lies. Polymaths are magnets for collaboration, bringing together different specialties and skills that lay the foundation for powerful innovation and rapid growth, fuelling original and out-of-the-box solutions to problems facing society. Polymathy is powerful and is not only responsible for some of the greatest advances in the modern world, but also for highlighting the relationship between science and creativity.

Several reasons contribute to the fact that there seem to be fewer female polymaths. As is known all too well, women have historically been limited in a professional scope, therefore, the representation and celebration of successful women (and especially those of colour) is lacking. Hence, it is understandable why the same trend carries over into polymathy, which is essentially a combination of fields. In spite of an unfavourable history in this regard, there should be emphasis placed on honouring these talented women. One example is Dr Mae Jemison (b. 1956): the quintessential modern-day polymath.

“Astronaut, Physician, Engineer, Educator and Futurist,” reads the Twitter bio of Dr Jemison. Most celebrated as the first woman of colour to travel to space onboard the Endeavour in 1992, she orbited the earth 127 times. Prior to her astronautics career, Jemison obtained degrees in Chemical Engineering, African and African American studies and Medicine. She worked as a doctor in her home country of the US as well as various developing countries and she served in the Peace Corps. Entrepreneurship is listed in her more recent endeavours, more specifically establishing her technology consultancy company, the Jemison Group. She has also trialled writing, authoring an autobiographical children’s book entitled: Find Where the Wind Goes. Her multi-faceted background qualifies her as a spokesperson for the intersection of a common polymathic combination, science and art, of which she famously said:

“The difference between science and the arts is not that they are different sides of the same coin even, or even different parts of the same continuum, but rather, they are manifestations of the same thing. The arts and sciences are avatars of human creativity.”.

What Jemison was exploring was that, in essence, art and science propose answers

Although the immense achievements of polymaths like Dr Jemison may seem intimidating, as Ella Saltmarshe said, “[to be a polymath] doesn’t mean you have to be a particle physicist by day, a Bookerwinning novelist by night and winning marathons on the weekend. You just need to be skilled in diverse areas”. Therefore, as the technical definition of polymathy details, this traditionally esteemed title is up for grabs: anyone could be a few Duolingo courses or musical theatre classes away from being “a person of wide knowledge or learning.” So, the host of self-proclaimed polymaths you can read about on the internet are not necessarily making false claims. On the contrary, with the saying “to be a jack of all trades, a master of none” looming, professionals of today are advised to sharpen their career focus and develop their niche skill set. This perspective can be traced to the industrial revolution which propagated the specialisation of knowledge and intellectualism. However, the case for the success of generalists is growing. With the popularisation of STEM as a distinct entity in education and business, as well as the inclusion of art as STEAM, it seems that the world is understanding the powerful force of harnessing different skill sets to innovate and create.

Irrespective of which side of the debate one supports, it is undeniable that there is lots to learn from the so-called polymaths of the past and present. This is especially true for those whose unique stories of blended talent have remained untold.