Is polymathy even possible in the modern era?
Yes. It is true that the knowledge base is exponentially larger than it was in the Renaissance, but much of this knowledge is only relevant to a select few endeavors at any given time. Polymathy, like all genius, is not about acquiring complete knowledge, but about building a select knowledge base and successfully applying it to a creative purpose, resulting in a tangible work. The difference between polymathy and specialization is the emphasis on developing this knowledge base across as well as within traditional disciplines. The larger state of the knowledge base also provides a justification for formal education of polymaths. Education is an assistive tool for navigating, comprehending, and ultimately generating complex ideas. Formally educated polymaths would be given a significant advantage over their autodidactic predecessors. As educators, we are in a position to provide that advantage.
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