Process Philosophy and the Polymath Sensibility
Studying process philosophy does not make us polymaths. We cannot be Aristotle, Goethe, Leibniz, Leonardo da Vinci, Hildegard of Bingen, Marie Curie, or Fatima al-Fihri. But it does nurture in us a Polymathic Sensibility. Someone with a polymath sensibility has a:
restless spirit,
strong curiosity,
thrives in uncertainty and ambiguity,
is cognitively flexible,
enjoys integrating insights from diverse fields,
senses that everything is connected even when others think they are not,
would like to major in "Life" if universities allowed it.
We all have a bit of this spirit inside us. We may prefer closure; we may lean towards "black and white;" we may seek peace not adventure; still, we sense something true in the polymath spirit. We, too, know that everything is interconnected. We, too, know that life if a journey and we haven't completely figured things out.
Fortunately, we can have a taste of this spirit in early life. Polymath education can begin with early childhood education and education at home, where foundational attitudes towards learning and curiosity are fostered. It continues in higher education, where the best environment for nurturing a polymath sensibility is often found in liberal arts colleges. These institutions emphasize broad-based learning across a variety of disciplines, including science, the humanities, and the social sciences, encouraging students to make connections between these areas and develop a well-rounded intellectual foundation.
There is something of the fox in those with a polymath sensibility, even if they have hedgehog capacities. The metaphor of the fox and the hedgehog comes from a fragment attributed to the ancient Greek poet Archilochus—"The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing"—highlights the difference. A person with a polymath sensibility is not content to know one big thing, even if it is vitally important. They want to know many things.
For those in the process community who believe in what Whitehead called "the consequent nature of God," the activity of knowing many things can be seen as something akin to what happens in the consequent nature of God. This side of God "feels the feelings" of everything that is happening in the universe, senses their interconnectedness, and weaves what is felt into a provisional whole that is then superseded by what comes next, showing that even God is in process.
Furthermore, the idea of creating a philosophical "system" may cut against the grain of a polymath sensibility if it presupposes that systems are final or fails to recognize that they consist of propositions that are metaphorical. This perspective emphasizes that even comprehensive theories or systems should be viewed as provisional, constantly evolving in response to new insights and understanding, much like the process of intellectual exploration itself. One hope for the world is the cultivation of polymath cultures, where people enjoy and embrace tastes of the polymath sensibility, in service to a love of life, both human and more-than-human. Such cultures would encourage continuous learning, the integration of knowledge from science, the humanities, and the social sciences, and a deep respect for the interconnectedness of all existence, fostering a society that values both intellectual diversity and ecological harmony.
The Need for Polymath Sensibility in the 21st Century
A polymath sensibility, characterized by a wide-ranging interest and knowledge across various fields, can significantly nurture respect and care for the community of life, including humans, in several impactful ways:
Holistic Understanding: Polymaths, due to their interdisciplinary knowledge, tend to develop a holistic understanding of the world. This broad perspective helps them see the interconnectedness of all life forms and the systems that support them. Understanding these connections can foster a deeper respect for the complexity and interdependence of life, promoting actions that are more considerate of ecological and social impacts.
Innovative Problem-Solving: With expertise in multiple areas, polymaths are well-equipped to integrate ideas from various fields to create innovative solutions to complex problems. This ability is crucial in addressing issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequalities, where solutions often require cross-disciplinary thinking.
Empathy and Cultural Sensitivity: Exposure to diverse disciplines often involves engaging with different cultures, histories, and philosophical perspectives. This can enhance a polymath's empathy and sensitivity towards different human experiences and values, leading to more inclusive community practices and policies.
Adaptive Learning and Flexibility: The polymath's habit of learning across fields cultivates adaptability and cognitive flexibility. These traits are essential in a rapidly changing world, allowing polymaths to help communities adjust to new challenges and opportunities effectively.
Education and Communication: Polymaths are often effective communicators and educators, able to draw upon a wide array of examples and analogies that resonate across audiences. By educating others about the importance of ecological and social stewardship, they can spread awareness and motivate collective action towards community care.
Ethical Leadership: The broad insight gained from multiple disciplines can also inform a more nuanced approach to ethics. Polymaths can lead by example, showing how decisions can be made in ways that are considerate of both human and non-human interests, thus promoting a culture of respect and care within communities.
In essence, a polymath's ability to see beyond the silos of specialized knowledge can play a critical role in fostering a community that values and cares for all its members, human and non-human alike, by promoting understanding, innovation, empathy, flexibility, education, and ethical leadership.
Hildegard of Bingen
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss one of the most remarkable figures of the Middle Ages, Hildegard of Bingen. The abbess of a Benedictine convent, Hildegard experienced a series of mystical visions which she documented in her writings. She was an influential person in the religious world and much of her extensive correspondence with popes, monarchs and other important figures survives. Hildegard was also celebrated for her wide-ranging scholarship, which as well as theology covered the natural world, science and medicine. Officially recognised as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2012, Hildegard is also one of the earliest known composers. Since their rediscovery in recent decades her compositions have been widely recorded and performed.
With: Miri Rubin,Professor of Medieval and Early Modern History and Head of the School of History at Queen Mary, University of London; William Flynn, Lecturer in Medieval Latin at the Institute for Medieval Studies at the University of Leeds; Almut Suerbaum, Professor of Medieval German and Fellow of Somerville College, Oxford; Producer: Thomas Morris.