Homo Universalis - Leonardo Da Vinci and Vitruvian Man

When one asks another individual, to whom they attribute absolute genius to, we seldom get an array of responses: Einstein is the typical and usual answer. Some individuals might say Shakespeare, Mozart, Newton, or perhaps Aristotle?... Nevertheless, of these individuals, with the exception of Newton and Aristotle (both of whom had strong knowledge of literature and the arts), the others aforementioned were only good at one thing and one thing only. So none of these individuals, not even Newton or Aristotle for that matter, would have made for an interesting date, unless and if, you were interested in their respective fields of knowledge. Nevertheless, if you wanted to spend an evening with a person who had a strong knowledge of music, philosophy, literature, science, mathematics, physics, medicine ,engineering, etc..., then you would have looked no further than Leonardo da Vinci - the universal man - homo universalis - polymath - worldly individual - renaissance man, etc....

'Renaissance Man' was a term coined in the 20th Century to denote a very educated and well rounded individual - a person possessing amazing world knowledge - a worldly type - homo universalis/universal man, or polymath as they are oftentimes referred to. One might say, a geek and a jock all rolled up into one - knowledge of the arts and sciences, yet also knowledge of sports and automobiles at the same time. Where can one find an individual like this to ask them out on a date? This said, there are no polymaths around these days. Reason being, you'd have to go to school for approximately 80-100 years or so to become a polymath today. There's just so much information and things to know in the world today, that polymaths have become extinct. Oh sure, many very attractive women out there will be the first ones to tell you that they've dated an individual whom referred to themselves as a polymath of sorts, only to sadly find out otherwise later on - sometimes even on the first date....

The Vitruvian Man
Leonardo da Vinci is arguably the greatest polymath that has ever lived - he was the Renaissance Man! Perhaps nothing demonstrates this more than his 'Vitruvian Man' does. The art work depicts an all into one concept: engineering, philosophy, literature, art, science and medicine. The Vitruvian Man has become the symbol for medical professionals everwhere; furthermore, the Vitruvian symbol is also used by medical companies in many countries all over the world including: USA, Saudi Arabia and Germany are amongst a few of them. To the naked eye, the drawing is a depiction of a man's body. The writing on the drawing shows da Vinci's extensive knowledge of science, medicine, as well as 'mirror writing' - a mirror is needed and used to decipher what was actually written, hence the name sake. Leonardo da Vinci was very much interested in proportions as well - male and female alike. The work is a marvel of Western Culture, and places da Vinci as one of its greatest exponents....

Marcus Vitruvias Pollio
Has been called the father of engineering. He was da Vinci's inspiration for his 'Vitruvian Man' drawing.

Summation:
There have been many great geniuses in the history of the world. However, most have only been great in their respective fields: Shakespeare was very great in theater, literature and philosophy; Mozart was very great in music; Einstein was very great in the field of science and physics, etc..., but few have been great and knowledgeable in all fields. Well, Leonardo da Vinci was just such a man. Leonardo da Vinci was also a great inventor - he is arguably the greatest example of a 'homo univesalis' that has ever lived....