Polymaths, also known as Renaissance men or Homo Universalis, are individuals with expertise in a significant number of diverse subject areas. Some of history’s greatest thinkers like Aristotle, Leonardo da Vinci, and Thomas Young were polymaths. In the modern world, polymathy seems even more desirable as we grapple with complex, multi-faceted issues that require broad thinking. So how do polymaths gain knowledge across so many domains? Let’s explore the learning techniques and habits of prolific polymaths.
Curiosity
If there is one trait that defines polymaths, it is curiosity. Polymaths have an insatiable appetite for learning new things. Their interests are not limited to any one field, which allows them to bridge knowledge gaps between disciplines. Famous polymath Gottfried Leibniz’s curiosity was so expansive that historians credit him with making advancements in mathematics, biology, geology, physics, engineering, and philosophy.
Science historian Stephen Johnson argues that successful polymaths like Leibniz have “liquid network” thinking. This means they are able to draw unexpected connections between ideas from different fields. Johnson explains that making these connections requires “an attitude of curiosity first, specialized expertise second.” Without broad curiosity, polymaths would not explore such diverse subjects and make insights across disciplines.
Interdisciplinary Learning
Polymaths take an interdisciplinary approach to learning. They acquire knowledge by studying the intersections between fields, rather than siloing themselves in one domain. This gives them the ability to apply principles from one area to another. For instance, when polymath Johann Wolfgang von Goethe studied botany, he used his perspective as both a scientist and an artist. Goethe created detailed illustrations of plant morphology that showed him the deeper patterns in flora. This interdisciplinary approach led to new botanical theories and an advanced understanding of morphology.
Modern polymath Alexander Grothendieck was able to reshape mathematics by borrowing concepts from physics. His work integrating topology and geometry demonstrated the value of crossing subject boundaries. Polymaths enjoy learning across disciplines because it allows for intellectual cross-pollination.
Mental Models
Polymaths also learn by developing mental models of the world that simplify complex systems. These conceptual representations help them grasp new subjects more efficiently by providing an intellectual framework. Polymath Charlie Munger utilizes mental models from microeconomics, psychology, and engineering to better understand situations at Berkshire Hathaway. He believes accumulating multiple models from various disciplines leads to wiser decision-making. Munger states: “The more models you have – if you have multiple models – you have a tendency to integrate them better.”
Polymath Elon Musk similarly applies mental models from physics and economics to drive innovations at SpaceX and Tesla. He believes mental models help him get to the foundation of problems even when he lacks expertise in a certain area. Polymaths leverage mental models to deepen learning across subjects.
First Principles Thinking
In addition to utilizing mental models, polymaths will break down problems to their fundamental truths. This first principles thinking requires tracing an issue back to foundational concepts that cut across disciplines. Polymaths rely on reasoning from first principles so they do not have to memorize information. Musk frequently advocates this approach when solving challenges in aerospace engineering. He states, “You boil things down to the most fundamental truths…and then reason up from there.” By starting from basic building blocks, polymaths can reconstruct knowledge in different fields.
Reading Widely
It almost goes without saying that polymaths read extensively. But more than just reading deeply within one subject, polymaths read widely across disciplines. By consuming content from a variety of genres, they gain exposure to different perspectives, facts, and mental frameworks. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt modeled this as a polymath reader. His home library contained thousands of books on topics including history, science, poetry, philosophy, and more. Roosevelt called reading very different works “mingled yarn” that helped him combine disparate ideas.
Modern polymath Nassim Taleb also attributes his success to reading non-fiction books broadly for years before delving deeply into any one topic. Taleb argues that extensive reading is “the only way to have a fast processor” for linking concepts. Reading widely primes polymaths to pattern-match between their eclectic knowledge.
Synthesizing Information
Of course, the information polymaths gain from reading widely must be consolidated to be useful. Polymaths excel at synthesizing their multidisciplinary knowledge to generate unique insights. For example, polymath Johannes Kepler revolutionized astronomy by synthesizing physics, optics, geometry, and more to describe planetary motion.
Synthesis also allows polymaths to become visionaries that pioneer entirely new disciplines. Polymath Alfred North Whitehead helped birth the field of process philosophy by connecting concepts from mathematics, physics, biology, and philosophy.
By gathering diverse strands of knowledge and weaving them together into original ideas, polymaths are able to push intellectual frontiers.
Cross-Training the Brain
In the same way athletes cross-train to improve overall fitness, polymaths crosstrain their brains through learning different skills. For example, polymath Buckminster Fuller deliberately learned skills using both his right brain and left brain. Fuller would draw with his left hand and write with his right hand to increase brain connectivity. He described this as “synergistic, regenerative thinking” that boosted his creativity. Neuroplasticity research shows that training the brain on multiple skills promotes cognitive flexibility.
Modern polymath Elon Musk similarly advocates crosstraining one’s abilities. He believes focusing too narrowly makes people “one-dimensional and fragile.” Polymaths crosstrain by regularly learning varied skills to strengthen the connections in their brains.
Multimedia Learning
Polymaths also retain information better thanks to multimedia learning. Polymath Athanasius Kircher would learn with his ears, eyes, and hands. He played music, observed natural specimens, copied diagrams by hand, and more. This multisensory approach allowed Kircher to integrate knowledge creatively as a mathematician, biologist, linguist, and more. Multimedia learning amplifies understanding and memory formation.
Interactive learning techniques still benefit modern thinkers like Bill Gates. He uses diverse platforms from articles, to videos, to in-person site visits to truly grasp concepts. Gates believes that “learning can come in many forms” when pursuing polymathy. Engaging with content through different media allows for deeper learning.
Learning by Teaching
Polymaths also reinforce their own understanding by teaching others. As physicist Richard Feynman famously put it, “What I cannot create, I do not understand.” Polymaths attempt to teach concepts in order to recognize any gaps or flaws in their knowledge. Italian polymath Galileo Galilei discovered new theories while lecturing to his students. Teaching forced him to simplify complex ideas in astronomy, physics, and other disciplines.
Modern polymath Elon Musk asks new hires at SpaceX to teach him about rockets. This both tests the employee’s knowledge and strengthens Musk’s own mastery. Polymaths teach to clarify their thinking and learn subjects more deeply.
Hands-on Learning
While polymaths read extensively, they also learn by doing. Polymath Benjamin Franklin believed learning had to be active, stating “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” He established libraries, hospitals, fire brigades, and other institutions to gain first-hand knowledge.
Polymath Santiago Ramón y Cajal later won a Nobel Prize for pioneering neuroscience through meticulous microscope observations. His hands-on study of neural pathways fundamentally grew understanding of the brain. Like these polymaths, modern Renaissance men such as Arnold Schwarzenegger learn through real-world experiences and experiments.
Learning How to Learn
Finally, in order to master such diverse skills, polymaths study the learning process itself. They learn how to learn by examining their own metacognition. Polymath John Locke wrote an entire essay on improving learning where he explored factors like motivation, retention, and mental associations. Locke’s insights on learning, such as linking new ideas to existing memories, remain relevant today.
Modern polymaths also explicitly work to enhance their learning capacity. For example, Elon Musk is informed by thinking on cognitive biases, memory formation, and knowledge acquisition. Understanding the mechanics of learning equips polymaths to amass expertise more efficiently.
Conclusion
Polymaths demonstrate that human knowledge need not be siloed into narrow domains. By following their approach of cultivating broad curiosity, reading widely, teaching concepts, and continually improving how they learn, anyone can become more of a Renaissance thinker. With comprehensive learning habits, we too can begin to bridge disciplines and push intellectual frontiers.