What’s the difference between polymaths, people who have deep knowledge in multiple fields, and people who have an incredibly broad knowledge base?

Question

What truly determines a polymath (and why are they mostly Renaissance?)

Also is there existing terminology for the other two?

Note: above mentioned knowledge base is significantly larger than the average person. You’d probably think they swallowed an encyclopaedia.

This is a personal debate I’m having with my partner. We need answers! 😂

In: Other

Answer 1

The notion of a ‘polymath’ – at least in the modern day – is more marketing than reality.

Actual experts have extremely narrow sub-specialties of knowledge. Outside of that sub-specialty, they can only reference the received wisdom of others. While many intelligent people are good at separating legitimate inquiry from bullshit, they’re relying on this ability rather than deep knowledge in the field.

In most cases, anyone you hear called a ‘polymath’ is actually an expert in nothing. They’re just a reasonably intelligent, educated person who can read the opinions of experts.