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3 Brilliant Polymaths, and the Advice They Left Behind
Bertrand Russell (1872–1970)
British Philosopher, logician, mathematician, writer, historian, political activist and Nobel laureate Bertrand Russell made many contributions to the academic world, particularly within mathematical logic and analytic philosophy.
He's perhaps better known to the general public as a social critic, speaking with unflinching clarity on moral issues ranging from warfare to Jesus Christ.
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Key Ideas
Polymaths
Polymaths, geniuses with diverse skillsets and varied interests, are the source of some of history's greatest contributions.
Giants like Aristotle, Galileo, and Leonardo da Vinci were...
The Approach Of A Polymath
A polymath sees the world with a unique perspective, making connections that are not apparent to others.
Early polymaths had the advantage of a wide-open field, and went deep in their disciplines, yielding branches and sub-branches of specializations. Deep down, these different branches lead to the same trunk and roots.
Polymaths Vs Specialists
Polymaths differ from specialists, as they are on to a highway that is getting wider, and specialists are parked in a spot that is getting deeper.
Polymaths have the advantage of learning new fields of study, and forming new connections, while specialists start having a narrow vision by going deep, learning less. The learning ability of the polymath is the required skill-set of the future.
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Key Ideas
The polymath
- Wide interests make him truly rounded, perhaps even multi-specialised.
- He can add value to any conversation, either through his familiarity with a particul...
The Renaissance Mind
Cultivating a broad range of pursuits was once seen as the richest way to live, and the surest path to Great discoveries.
Even today, in a time where the model of efficiency via hyper-specialisation has shifted our focus from ideas to output, the envelope-shifters we most look up to are polymaths. (Steve Jobs and Elon Musk spring to mind.)
Curiosity for cultivating your inner polymath
- Start by reading magazines and blogs to get to grips with new fields;
- Sign up to a course in something new. It will help add extra dimensions to your life experience.
- Pick a new sport – a true polymath cultivates his physique.
- Give up the myth of the One True Calling and establish a polymath life working around your many interests.
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Key Ideas
Polymaths
A Polymath is defined as one who is specialized in at least two unrelated fields or domains while having a passive interest in other domains too. They are individualists that hold a holistic view o...
Qualities Of A Polymath
When polymaths become interested in something, they don't care which domain or sphere it leads them. Some qualities of a Polymath person:
- Above-average intelligence
- Open-mindedness
- Curiosity
- Self-reliance
- Individualism
- A desire for personal fulfillment
- Desire to find connections.
Waqas Ahmed
“The polymath not only moves between different spheres or different fields and disciplines, but seeks fundamental connections between those fields, so as to give them a unique insight into each of them.”