P.O.L.Y.M.A.T.H

“Polymath” defines a person of wide-ranging knowledge. Oftentimes, the term is associated with geniuses of the past, but the fact of the matter is anyone can be a polymath. Polymathism is a lifestyle. It is a way of approaching the world, and in my opinion, it is the best outlook one can have when faced by a society that is determined to label individuals and their life choices. In the 21st century, children, teens, and whimsical adults are constantly encouraged to proclaim to the world what their life’s passion is. From a young age we are asked to check a box, and with a single fateful stroke, determine which part of the human experience we will devote our lives to. But it wasn’t always this way. Not too long ago, intellectuals were encouraged to actively contribute to multiple disciplines… until the “Specialist Age.” The hows and whys of when this societal attitude changed are strange and complex, but I am more interested in creating a movement that will shift the outlook once again.

In her TEDx Talk, Emily Wapnick introduces the term “multipotentialite,” to describe a group of people who ascribe to a similar mode of thinking. However, I believe that ALL humans can be defined by these terms if they are simply given the opportunity to cultivate pre existing and novel interests. Humans are innately multi-faceted creatures. We are physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual beings, and as a result, it is important that we pursue diverse interests to live a fulfilled life. With that said, there is a polymath within each of us; we simply need the opportunities and wherewithal to liberate them for ourselves. The following principles of polymathy are a guideline for this purpose. You will find them embodied within any multipotentialite, historical or contemporary. More importantly, however, they are a guideline for living a fulfilled life. I encourage you to embrace them, regardless of their connotation, and liberate the polymath within.

Provocative- Polymaths are the synergetic outliers in a world dominated by specialists. They see conclusions between the lines that specialists define their realities by. They embrace the unknown and are not shackled by society’s attempts to define what is “right” or “wrong.”

Obsessive- Relentless in their endeavors to understand the entirety of the world, polymaths become consumed by skills or topics that pique their interest. These obsessions define them and provide many perspectives for a polymath to view problems or cultivate solutions.

Long-sighted- Polymaths are experts at embracing the unknown. While momentarily they may not be aware of the implications of a new obsession, with time, they are always able to connect dots to create new boxes of thinking. This requires intense amounts of concentration, but also imagination. Limitless imagination is a key principle for polymaths around the globe, and the main reason they are looked at as the synergists of the human race.

Yogic- While heavy-laden with connotation, this term derives from the sanskrit root word “yuj” which means “to unite,” “ to add” or “to join” [1]. With the root in mind, it becomes clear that polymaths are THE yogis of the world. No other group of people are as renown for their ability to unite differing concepts or add value to any worthwhile dialogue as well as polymaths are.

Multi-faceted- Polymaths understand that the only way to really unravel the world is to observe it through multiple lenses. While they can become obsessive over novel interests, it is rare to find a polymath that is knowledgeable about only physical, emotional, spiritual, or intellectual experiences. They dive deep into most, if not all of these categories, and use the knowledge obtained from one of the experiences to better understand the others.

Authentic- Polymaths do not attempt to absorb information because it is the cool thing to do. They do not follow the latest trends in fashion because society tells them it is worth their time. Polymaths live fulfilled lives because they obsess over details which call to their heart. They learn to write, paint, read the stars, perform medical surgeries, direct films, and/or design beautiful articles of clothing, because they understand that each of these experiences is an expression of who they are as individuals. No single escapade allows a polymath to define themselves, thus, they seek to utilize multiple modes of articulation.

Traveled- Whether intellectually, through novels and/or conversations, or physically traversing the globe, all polymaths are traveled beings. Within one brain they contain a multitude of perspectives, allowing them to easily connect with others on an intellectual, spiritual, or emotional level.

Holistic- Whereas specialists are defined by their depth of knowledge, polymaths are defined by their breadth. Their specialty lies in connecting antagonistic concepts, and as a result, they are not often afflicted by fragmented thinking. The entirety of the Human Experience is their palette, their impact is simply determined by the opportunities they choose to take advantage of.

[1] Yogapedia.com. (2019). What is Yuj? - Definition from Yogapedia. [online] Available at: https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/7656/yuj.