Philomath – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
A philomath (/ˈfɪlɵmæθ/; Greek: φίλος philos (“beloved,” “loving,” as in philosophy or philanthropy) + Greek μανθάνειν manthanein, math- (“to learn,” as in polymath)) is a lover of learning. Philomathy is similar to, but distinguished from, philosophy in that -soph, the latter suffix, specifies “wisdom” or “knowledge”, rather than the process of acquisition thereof. Philomath is not synonymous with polymath. A philomath is a seeker of knowledge and facts, while a polymath is a possessor of knowledge in multiple fields. The shift in meaning for mathema is likely a result of the rapid categorization during the time of Plato and Aristotle of their “mathemata” in terms of education: arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music (the Quadrivium), which the Greeks found to create a “natural grouping” of mathematical (in the modern usage; “doctrina mathematica” in the ancient usage) precepts.