The Renaissance Man

An essay by The Bishop

Leonardo da Vinci

When you hear the term ‘Renaissance Man’, your mind may produce images of Da Vinci’s perfect Vitruvian man. Others may think of a well-rounded educated gentleman, and some may consider people who lived in the Renaissance period, such as the epic poet Dante. 

I, however, would like to discuss the second option. It has long been a goal or aspiration of mine to become one such renaissance man, not necessarily a perfect man. Certainly not perfect in the anatomical sense. Perfection is a puzzling term and has never truly been witnessed in human language and culture.

This ideal, or judge to some people, has revealed itself to me like visions of the Holy Mother Mary to Bernadette. Or perhaps, it is like the demon that forced Orwell to write books and filled him with ideas. This vision of the renaissance man is someone who balances science with literature or magic. Divinity with modernity.

A common saying in those who chase this ideal is to be well versed in ancient wisdom and divinity and to be well-read in modern science, inventions, and technology. Someone who reads Dostoyevsky, Dante, Homer and the Tao Te Ching and is also familiar with scientific journals, theories and or methods. For example, understanding the Newtonian world view and Darwin’s theory of evolution, as well as the modern theories of psychology and biology. 

It seems to me that people care not about Yin nor Yang, science nor divinity. This is not a critique of what they are interested in. Given the circumstances of modern life and our history from Genesis to the present, people have every right to get on with what they please. 

I am here to present the Renaissance Man, someone who has as great a chance as anybody to find fulfilment. The eerie spirit that often eludes many of us. Well, the renaissance man might just be a ghost hunter who can charm it to its tune like the pied piper. I cannot put to you this proposition in all good faith without first making you aware that I am not this man, I have not experienced the benefits it brings. 

However, I am trying, and it is a goal of mine and unlike most goals, there is no endpoint. It is a process that will never end. One must find solace in the process, as with most things. While I cannot offer concrete personal examples of what this elusive renaissance man has to offer, there are real-world examples of people who embody the renaissance man. Jonathon Swift, H. G. Wells and Aldous Huxley on the literary side were all incredibly immersed in science and modern technology while exploring the spirituality of writing, literature and ancient wisdom. 

On the other side of the equation, one sees/one might point to Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin who were on the cutting edge of science in their respective heyday, but both understood and valued the beauty and wisdom offered by classic literature and ancient wisdom. 

So, if you want to be wise and a well-rounded, emotionally stable human being with a fulfilled life, then it is time to decide. One cannot wait three score and ten, it is time to take this opportunity and grasp it with both hands, especially when it is easier than ever to do so. Will you go forth to become the renaissance man and fulfil your potential?