Polymath: meaning, definition and examples

George Alvarez 03-10-2023
George Alvarez

Polymath is a term we don't hear a lot about, isn't it? But if you're here, it's because you want to know more about it. In this article, we'll give you a breakdown of the term. In addition, we'll tell you about examples of polymath In addition, we will bring you some tips for you to develop a little bit of your knowledge.

Polymath according to the dictionary

Let's start by defining the word polymath according to the dictionary. It comes from the Greek polumatese. In case you don't know, -es is a suffix that turns a word into a masculine and feminine noun, as well as an adjective.

Among its definition we see:

When it is an adjective:

This is someone who knows or has studied many sciences. Moreover, their knowledge is not restricted to a single scientific environment.

When it is a feminine and masculine noun:

This is the person who has knowledge in many sciences.

Among the synonyms of the word we see: polymerate and polymate .

Polymer concept

A polymath is a person whose knowledge is not restricted to a single area. Generally speaking, a polymath can simply refer to someone who possesses great knowledge.

We can consider, by today's standards, that many ancient scientists are polymaths Even the terms Renaissance man and homo universalis are related. They are used to describe a person who is well educated or who excels in a variety of areas. In other words, they are what we call today polymath .

This idea emerged during the Italian Renaissance through Leon Battista Alberti: " a man can do all the things he wants "This idea showed a man unlimited in his abilities, strong and intelligent. This encouraged the men of that time to seek to further develop their skills.

Example of polymaths

Now that we have seen what the term polymath let's list a few famous polymaths:

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Da Vinci was an Italian Renaissance man who excelled in a number of fields of knowledge. He excelled from science to painting through his inventions. In addition, his artwork "Mona Lisa" is arguably the most famous in the world. Furthermore, his IQ was estimated to be around 200.

Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1726)

Newton was an English physicist and mathematician. He is most famous for discovering gravity is one of the most influential scientists of all time. His IQ is estimated at 193. Moreover, his book "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy" is one of the fundamental texts of classical mechanics.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

He is known as the greatest writer of the English language. In addition, he is one of the world's most highly regarded playwrights and his IQ is approximately 210. His works are considered to be canons of literature.

Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Einstein was a German-Jewish theoretical physicist and probably the most famous scientist who ever lived. It was he who developed the general theory of relativity. In addition, he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921. His IQ has been estimated to be between 160 and 190.

See_also: Implicit: meaning in the dictionary and in psychology

I want information to enroll in the Psychoanalysis Course .

See_also: What is Explosive Temperament in Psychology

Confucius (551-479 BC)

Confucius was a very influential Chinese philosopher and teacher. He is famous for his aphorisms to this day, and his moral and political teachings have had a profound impact throughout East Asia.

Marie Curie (1867-1934)

She was a Polish physicist and chemist and the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.Don't forget that she won it twice! Curie also developed the theory of radioactivity and discovered two elements: polonium and radium. Her IQ was estimated at 180 to 200.

Nikola Tesla (1856-1943)

He was a inventor and futurist born in Serbia, he became known for such works as alternating current electricity, the Tesla coil, and the wireless transmission of energy, the so-called "death ray". A In addition, he foresaw technologies such as smartphones, drones, and others. His IQ is estimated at 195.

Read Also: How to use meditation for sleep?

Hypatia (350/70-415)

Hypatia was a Greek astronomer, philosopher and mathematician She lived in Egypt and later in the Eastern Roman Empire. Her importance comes from the fact that she is the first woman mathematician that we know of. His IQ is estimated to be between 170 and 190. However, she was accused of witchcraft and brutally murdered by a group of fanatical Christians.

Aryabhata (476-55)

He was probably the oldest Indian mathematician and astronomer. Arybhata is known for approximating the value of pi and developing the knowledge and use of zero. We don't know how much his IQ is estimated, but if he approximated the value of pi, it's probably not low, is it?

Cleopatra (68-30 BC)

Cleopatra was the last pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt. She ruled the country for almost thirty years. In addition, she was fluent in five languages and had an IQ of about 180.

Judit Polgar (1976 -)

Judit Polgar is a great Hungarian chess master, widely considered to be the strongest chess player of all time. Polgar broke Bobby Fischer's world record. His IQ is recorded as 170, and on our list he is the only person alive.

Example of Brazilian polymaths

In addition to these famous polymaths Among them we highlight: José Bonifácio, Otto Maria Carpeaux, Dom Pedro II, Gilberto Freyre, Pontes Miranda, Mário de Andrade, Ruy Barbosa, and Santos Dumont.

Tips for Becoming a Polymath

O polymath is a creative person. He is more willing to learn new things. After all, these people have a lot of knowledge for any conversation. This is because when we study different subjects, we condition our mind to a constant learning.

It is important to understand that we do not become a polymath overnight. We need to take one step at a time, and not focus on a few things to learn simultaneously. Only after we have mastered them will we expand our domains.

Let's list some more of the tips to help you become a polymath :

Make a list of everything you want to learn

When you put down on paper what you want to learn, you get a better plan of what you want to do.

I want information to enroll in the Psychoanalysis Course .

Decide which areas you are interested in

Also, define very well what your areas of interest are. That is, what has to do with your personal interests, your career, your plans and abilities. Consider what you want to learn as a hobby, professionally, etc. Also, don't exclude what you already know, but want to deepen.

Read a lot

Reading is the best way to learn. To be a polymath After all, reading is the best source of knowledge. Also, don't restrict your reading to books, but also articles, newspapers, magazines. All of these can help your learning.

Watch documentaries

Documentaries, YouTube videos, some Netflix channels and movies teach a lot. The best thing is to combine this source of knowledge with other means, such as reading. Look for fun ways to study.

Talk and interact

Tend to surround yourself with people who have similar interests to yours. This contact will yield exchange of information and you will be able to delve deeper into the topic. Pay attention to what people have to say and share what you have. After all, discussions are a great source of learning. Everyone has something to teach and to learn.

Conclusion

A polymath It's not an easy thing to become, but we hope our tips will help you. Also, do you want a great tip to get started? Take our Clinical Psychoanalysis course and incorporate the knowledge developed by Freud, Jung, among many other amazing scholars If you don't know where to start, this is a must-have tip!

George Alvarez

George Alvarez is a renowned psychoanalyst who has been practicing for over 20 years and is highly regarded in the field. He is a sought-after speaker and has conducted numerous workshops and training programs on psychoanalysis for professionals in the mental health industry. George is also an accomplished writer and has authored several books on psychoanalysis that have received critical acclaim. George Alvarez is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others and has created a popular blog on Online Training Course in Psychoanalysis that is widely followed by mental health professionals and students around the world. His blog provides a comprehensive training course that covers all aspects of psychoanalysis, from theory to practical applications. George is passionate about helping others and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of his clients and students.