Every educated person should know, at least in part, about dozen-or-so fields of knowledge. There are more fields than a dozen – the summary below is only a beginning. The fields are grouped under general categories: Physical sciences, Life sciences, Humanities, Philosophy, Athletics.
An individual is not a dolt if he or she has more than superficial knowledge of more than four fields. Significant knowledge in all fields is genius. Great knowledge in a few fields is genius. Great knowledge in all fields is impossible. (Francis Bacon, 1561-1626, may have been the last person pretty much to know all there was to know.)
Superficial knowledge and Knuckleheadism are the norm, especially among elected officials. How do so many incompetent people end up in elected office? The electorate likes to clutch people who bear resemblance to people on TV – the doltish ones seem especially appealing. Unfortunately, fields of knowledge do not factor. Optating the TV-like candidate rules.
Important (not exclusive) Fields Of Knowledge
Math, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry
Biology, Physiology, Neurology/Psychology
Literature, Languages
Economics, Social science, Philosophy
Athletics (mind-body)