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How about Polymath?

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26 messages over 4 pages: 1 2 3 4 
Dr. Fel
Diglot
Newbie
Australia
Joined 5644 days ago
6 posts - 6 votes
Speaks: English*, Spanish
Studies: German, Mandarin, Japanese

 
 Message 25 of 26
27 June 2009 at 5:51pm | IP Logged 
I have been trying to think of a functional modern definition of a polymath. It is obviously difficult as no one is brilliant at everything and it is hard to define just how broad and deep ones abilities need to be.

The multiple-intelligences approach seems to at least offer a potential framework. The actual theory itself has been somewhat discredited though it still has it's uses. The idea stems from the fact that a traditional "IQ" test usually measures a combination of 1) Numerical 2) Visuo-Spatial and 3) Verbal intelligence. Some authors have thought to broaden that definition to include the following 10 intelligences.

1) Verbal: Ability related to linguistics / language etc
2) Numerical: ability to modulate and see relationships between numbers
3) Visuo-spatial:
4) Physical: sporting ability / health
5) Creative:
6) Social: ability in social situations
7) Personal: Self awareness / emotional intelligence / self talk etc
8) Spiritual: Difficult to define / sense of ones place in the world
9) Sexual: somewhat obvious
10) Sensual: Ability to use and appreciate with your senses

My "modern" idea of a polymath would be to chose at least one hobby / interest per intelligence above and then attempt to improve and improve at it. Obviously the categories are somewhat arbitrary and many hobbies could involve multiple categories.

Still... it my closest current working definition of what it would take to be a polymath.

Anyway... any opinions?

Dr. Fel
1 person has voted this message useful



Jar-ptitsa
Triglot
Senior Member
Belgium
Joined 5900 days ago
980 posts - 1006 votes 
Speaks: French*, Dutch, German

 
 Message 26 of 26
27 June 2009 at 9:10pm | IP Logged 
Dr. Fel wrote:
I have been trying to think of a functional modern definition of a polymath. It is obviously difficult as no one is brilliant at everything and it is hard to define just how broad and deep ones abilities need to be.

The multiple-intelligences approach seems to at least offer a potential framework. The actual theory itself has been somewhat discredited though it still has it's uses. The idea stems from the fact that a traditional "IQ" test usually measures a combination of 1) Numerical 2) Visuo-Spatial and 3) Verbal intelligence. Some authors have thought to broaden that definition to include the following 10 intelligences.

1) Verbal: Ability related to linguistics / language etc
2) Numerical: ability to modulate and see relationships between numbers
3) Visuo-spatial:
4) Physical: sporting ability / health
5) Creative:
6) Social: ability in social situations
7) Personal: Self awareness / emotional intelligence / self talk etc
8) Spiritual: Difficult to define / sense of ones place in the world
9) Sexual: somewhat obvious
10) Sensual: Ability to use and appreciate with your senses

My "modern" idea of a polymath would be to chose at least one hobby / interest per intelligence above and then attempt to improve and improve at it. Obviously the categories are somewhat arbitrary and many hobbies could involve multiple categories.

Still... it my closest current working definition of what it would take to be a polymath.

Anyway... any opinions?

Dr. Fel


Music, art?
1 person has voted this message useful



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