Multidisciplinary Learning and Mental Models

[Learning. Confidence. Decisiveness]

Charlie: “Obviously the more hard lessons you can learn vicariously, instead of from your own terrible experiences, the better off you will be. I don’t know anyone who did it with great rapidity. Warren Buffett has become one hell of a better investor since the day I met him, and so have I. If we had been frozen at any given stage, with the knowledge we had, the record would have been much worse than it is. So, the game is to keep learning.” Charlie never aspired to huge popularity at school. Resentment, self-pity—these emotions were not a part of Charlie’s character and individuality. Through some stories we may see that he suffers, or he is sensitive to some issues, but usually the emotions are “closed” and under his control. In business, he prefers to have a cold mask of objectivity.

Charlie loves and admires Benjamin Franklin, who has a lot to teach us about ethics, greed, morals, and money. Charlie adopted the multidisciplinary approach in learning from his hero. One could train his brain as a sportsman preparing for the Olympic Games. Charlie is confident that to be smart one has to have a collection of mental models in mind. Just one model, or only a few, is not enough to be an independent thinker.

Charlie: “To the man with only a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.” He thinks that to be prepared to operate in this world, one must have a multidisciplinary education. Charlie requires people to be able to think using multiple mental models.

Benjamin Franklin, according to a published autobiography, said that too much focus on quality of life (materialism) could be result in a lower dysfunctional emotion, which can cause you to pay too much for everything. So, one has to have control over it. One may see a parallel between Franklin and Munger, as exemplified in Education of Youth in Pennsylvania.

Franklin: “As to their Studies, it would be well if they could be taught everything that is useful, and everything that is ornament. But art is long, and their time is short. It is therefore proposed that they learn those things that are likely to be most useful and most ornamental. Regard being had to the several professions for which they are intended.”

Charlie about Franklin: “There is the sheer amount of Franklin’s wisdom…and talent. Franklin played four instruments. He was the nation’s leading scientist and inventor, plus a leading author, statesman, and philanthropist. There has never been anyone like him…Franklin was quite old when he was ambassador to France. This was after he was world famous and rich, and he was making his way in the world. But he was a very good ambassador, and whatever was wrong with him from John Adams’s point of view helped him with the French. I think Franklin was a marvelous steward. I’m willing to take the fellow as he averaged out. And certainly, I’m in favor of old people having a little enjoyment.” Charlie Munger took such internal monitoring of self-discipline to a new, advanced level. As one may notice through continuously learning and studying people patiently, in such subjects as history and psychology, Charlie is hoping to avoid spontaneity and unpredictability in his life.