Polymath Power by Michael Araki @ Comprehensivist Weds

Polymath Power: Breaking with the limitations of disciplinary thinking by Michael Araki

People are increasingly unhappy with the idea of spending life as a fixed cog in a machine structured by somebody else. In this context, creativity, innovation and connectedness appear as important elements for a more fulfilling life. In this talk, I present the concept of polymathy not only as the acquisition of knowledge and learning in multiple domains but also as a worldview that can enable us to go beyond the narrowness of current disciplinary, siloed thinking. First, I underscore the importance of polymathic thinking in our increasingly noisy, VUCA world. Next, I explore how polymathy lies at the heart of creativity and innovation, being an important tool to solve problems--big and small--at the societal and at the individual levels. After that, I discuss the overlooked differentiation between the field (the current gatekeepers of knowledge) and knowledge itself. After that, I present some recent findings regarding the measurement and neuroscience of polymathy. Finally, I conclude with possible paths to utilize polymathic thinking to advance understanding regarding ourselves and our world.

Michael Araki’s research interests include entrepreneurship, behavior under uncertainty and polymathy studies. He asks: How people acquire knowledge and utilize their resources and opportunities to produce novel and effective solutions--for themselves, their organizations, and the world? Because of the interdisciplinary nature of these questions, I have developed expertise in different fields such as economics, psychology, entrepreneurship, creativity, polymathy studies, governance and finance.

****

Welcome to the series "Comprehensivist Wednesdays". Transdisciplinarity, Renaissance humanism, homo universalis, and Polymathy are some of the ways of describing this approach which Buckminster Fuller called Comprehensivity and described as “macro-comprehensive and micro-incisive”.

The first, introductory, event from "Comprehensivist Wednesdays" can be watched on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjwTy6pGkNA

The full archive of videos from the series can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkCiNL_gZp2cgfSPqwbnXu8e3Lcq7W8w7

CJ Fearnley's site "Collaborating for Comprehensivism" has more information on the idea: https://www.cjfearnley.com/CfC/

To see all forthcoming "Comprehensivist Wednesdays" events, look at the Wednesday events on the "52 Living Ideas" calendar: https://www.meetup.com/52LivingIdeas/events/calendar/

July 15: Why Be a Comprehensivist? — a Panel Discussion. http://y2u.be/qjwTy6pGkNA
‪July 22: Louis Sullivan’s Ideas: Art of Expression & Form Follows Function with Architect Sherri Tracinski & Shrikant‬ https://youtu.be/oM8vbQQ-4MU
‪Jul 29: Humanity's Great Traditions of Inquiry and Action with CJ‬ Fearnley http://y2u.be/8RuHE_3FMUs
‪‪Aug 12: The Necessities and Impossibilities of Comprehensivism with CJ Fearnley http://y2u.be/u6372Te2YA8
‪Aug 19: Polymaths in 21st Century with Angela‬ http://y2u.be/ltbPex0oVAY
‪Aug 26: The Art-Experience and The Architecture of Our Identities with Karen ‬https://youtu.be/MwduocAYKZ8
‪Sep 9: Four Cardinal Greek Virtues in Visual Art & Mythology by John Roth
‪Sep 16: The Fundamental Role of Story in Our Lives with CJ Fearnley
‪Sep 23: Lightening Talks
Sep 30: The Great Conversation & Syntopicon of Mortimer Adler with Shrikant
Oct 7: The Great Conversation & Syntopicon of Mortimer Adler with Shrikant
Oct 14: Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth by Bucky Fuller with CJ
Oct 21: Neuroscience & Mindfulness with Sanjay

52 Living Ideas records Comprehensivist Wednesdays events and posts them on YouTube. Feel free to keep your video on or off as you prefer. Watch all their past Meetups at: https://www.youtube.com/c/52LivingIdeas?sub_confirmation=1