Are Gene–Environment Interactions Underpinning the Development of Creative Polymathy?

Abstract

The term “polymath” refers to a person whose expertise approaches different subject areas, to rely on complex packages of knowledge for solving problems. Famous polymaths from history include Galileo Galilei, Leonardo da Vinci, Mozart, and Albert Einstein; individuals that have impacted science, arts, humanities, and our society for centuries. However, from a neuropsychological point of view and social perspective, it is unclear whether these gifted subjects developed their abilities because of inherited neurobiological or anatomical differences when compared to average people, or their skills and functional advantages were a result of specific environmental factors or stimulus inducing brain plasticity changes that reflect in cognitive improvements. In this discussion report, we present literature evidence from basic health sciences supporting the hypothesis that polymaths may be “born” based on their individual genetic characteristics but also “trained” by surrounding environmental factors or stimulus. At the functional level, polymaths may have a number advantages regarding creativity, resilience, and versatility. Since educational strategies are nowadays more focused on specialization rather than developing multidisciplinary professionals for the future, one could speculate whether these conventional approaches should be updated to stimulate polymathy in future generations.