Renaissance Man: Why You Should Cultivate Multiple Interests

A “Renaissance man” refers to a person who is well-educated and skilled in a wide variety of fields.

The term originated to describe men from the Renaissance period in Europe (15th to 16th century), such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, who were known for their achievements in multiple areas of study.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was an Italian artist, scientist, inventor, and polymath, and is considered the archetypal “Renaissance man.” While he is most famous for his painting of the Mona Lisa, he was also a skilled architect, engineer, and scientist. He made detailed drawings and notes on many topics including human anatomy, botany, and geology. He also made significant contributions to the fields of optics, hydrodynamics, and flight.

Michelangelo (1475-1564) was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet. He initially gained recognition for his sculptures and was soon commissioned to create some of the most important works of art of the Renaissance, including the David and the Pietà. In addition to his sculptures, Michelangelo was also a highly skilled painter. He painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, which is widely considered to be one of the greatest works of art in the world. And as an architect, he designed the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Other historical figures who are widely considered to be “Renaissance men,” include Galileo Galilei (for his contributions to astronomy, physics, and mathematics), Francis Bacon (science, philosophy, and politics), and Benjamin Franklin (science, business, politics, literature, engineering).

The term “Renaissance man” can also be used to describe any person, regardless of historical period, who possesses a broad range of knowledge and talents.

Can you become a “Renaissance man” or “Renaissance woman” yourself?

While it’s hard to compare ourselves to the great names mentioned above, their talents and ambitions are certainly something to look up to and be inspired by.

All great people learn to stand on the “shoulders of giants,” and having an in-depth list of role models like the figures above is an essential component of self-growth.

Becoming a “Renaissance man” involves developing talents, skills, knowledge, and abilities in multiple areas of accomplishment: intellectual, artistic, social, physical, and spiritual.

It is an appreciation for all that is true and beautiful in life.

The Core Principles Behind Every Renaissance Man

• Develop a love of learning – The most important quality of a Renaissance person is a love of learning. Your education doesn’t end after you finish schooling, it is a lifelong endeavor that continues until the day you die. So long as your brain is working, you are capable of learning new things. Cultivate a desire to learn and explore any field of study that sparks your interest. Follow new paths and see where they take you.
• Read widely – One of the best ways to gain knowledge across multiple fields is to read widely. Read books, magazines, and articles on a variety of topics, including science, history, literature, and art. I often dedicate a whole year to specific genres or topics. One year I dedicated to reading biographies, another I dedicated to reading history books, and another year I focused on reading fiction. By reading a variety of different literature, you continue to grow your knowledge in multiple directions.
• Take classes – There’s always opportunities to continue your formal education. Another way to gain knowledge and skills is to take adult education classes, online courses, or workshops that interest you. Find a teacher, mentor, or coach to personally guide you in a new endeavor. It’s also never too late to enroll in a college or graduate program, even if it’s been awhile since you’ve last attended school. Some of the most inspiring stories I come across are people earning degrees in their 70s and 80s. Education never truly ends.
• Learn a new skill – Try to learn a new skill, talent, or craft that you’ve always been interested in. This could be anything from playing a musical instrument, to learning a new language, to cultivating practical skills (like carpentry or electrical engineering). Embrace the jack of all trades mentality – it’s often our combination of skills that separates us from others rather than just a specialty in one single area.
• Network – No man is an island, even a Renaissance man. All success and excellence depends on some level of social support and encouragement from others. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you. Seek out people with diverse interests and backgrounds who can share their knowledge and experience. When you attend lectures, workshops, or other events, make it a point to meet new people, build new connections, and learn about different fields. Learn to be interested in everyone you meet in life.
• Practice critical thinking – A key component of becoming a Renaissance man is the ability to think critically, debate, and solve problems. Where do you get your information from? We live in an information age, but there’s also a lot of misinformation out there. The information pyramid is a simple guideline for what types of sources you should trust more than others. Always double-check everything you come across. Understand basic rules behind rationality and debate, so you can avoid common cognitive biases and logical fallacies that muddle thinking. Practice explaining your beliefs to others to sharpen your thinking, especially when you have healthy conversations with those you disagree with.
• Think interdisciplinary – The more you learn, the easier it is to find connections between different subjects and disciplines. One key feature of any creative mind is interdisciplinary thinking. For example, even a good psychologist should familiarize themselves with multiple subjects like biology, anthropology, economics, and sociology. Each of these subjects provides a new lens or new perspective to study human behavior. When you borrow from multiple disciplines, you can even begin to invent new categories that haven’t been thought of before.
• Be a complete human being – A Renaissance man grows in all directions. Ultimately they practice being a well-rounded and balanced person, by giving equal attention to all aspects of life including the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual. They strive to become a complete human by fulfilling their utmost potential in every fiber of their being.

Remember the process of becoming a “Renaissance man” or “Renaissance woman” is a never-ending one. As long as you’re alive, you have room to grow and improve.

For me, I’m always seeking new directions to grow in. While I’ve been writing about psychology and self-improvement for over a decade, it still represents only a small fraction of who I am.

I love reading about all different subjects, including biology, anthropology, economics, history, philosophy, and politics. I also have creative goals in music and filmmaking. And I like trying out new hobbies like playing chess, video games, and bird-watching.

It all boils down to becoming a more balanced person. Why limit your growth in anyway?

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