A further argument for multiple approaches is that a polymath does not see diverse approaches as diverse, because they see connections where other people see differences. For example Da Vinci advanced multiple fields by applying mathematical principles to each. Related terms Aside from "Renaissance man", similar terms in use are (Latin) and (Italian), which translate to "universal man". The related term "generalist"—contrasted with a "specialist"—is used to describe a person with a general approach to knowledge. The term "universal genius" or "versatile genius" is also used, with Leonardo da Vinci as the prime example again. The term is used especially for people who made lasting contributions in at least one of the fields in which they were actively involved and when they took a universality of approach. When a person is described as having encyclopedic knowledge, they exhibit a vast scope of knowledge. However, this designation may be anachronistic in the case of persons such as Eratosthenes, whose reputation for having encyclopedic knowledge predates the existence of any encyclopedic object. See also Amateur Competent man Creative class Genius Interdisciplinarity Jack of all trades, master of none Multipotentiality Opsimath Philomath Polyglotism Polygraph (author) Polymatheia – a muse of knowledge in Greek mythology References and notes Further reading Edmonds, David (August 2017). Does the world need polymaths?, BBC. Frost, Martin, "Polymath: A Renaissance Man". Grafton, A, "The World of the Polyhistors: Humanism and Encyclopedism", Central European History, 18: 31–47. (1985). Jaumann, Herbert, "Was ist ein Polyhistor? Gehversuche auf einem verlassenen Terrain", Studia Leibnitiana, 22: 76–89. (1990) . Mirchandani, Vinnie, "The New Polymath: Profiles in Compound-Technology Innovations", John Wiley & Sons. (2010). Twigger, Robert, "Anyone can be a Polymath" We live in a one-track world, but anyone can become a polymath Aeon Essays. Waquet, F, (ed.) "Mapping the World of Learning: The 'Polyhistor' of Daniel Georg Morhof" (2000) ISBN 978-3447043991. Brown, Vincent Polymath-Info Portal. Age of Enlightenment Giftedness Renaissance