--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It seems that the increased number of…" description: "\"It seems that the increased number of scientific workers, their being split up into groups whose studies are limited to a small subject, and over-speci..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af7/alexis-carrel-9758_best-way_it-seems-that-the-increased-number-of-sc_1740438.jpg" --- # It seems that the increased number of scientific workers… ![“It seems that the increased number of scientific workers, their being split up into groups whose studies are limited to a small subject, and over-specialization have brought about a shrinking of intelligence. There is no doubt that the quality of any human group decreases when the number of the…” quote by Alexis Carrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af7/alexis-carrel-9758_best-way_it-seems-that-the-increased-number-of-sc_1740438.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af7/alexis-carrel-9758_best-way_it-seems-that-the-increased-number-of-sc_1740438.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af7/alexis-carrel-9758_best-way_it-seems-that-the-increased-number-of-sc_1740438.jpg) > “It seems that the increased number of scientific workers, their being split up into groups whose studies are limited to a small subject, and over-specialization have brought about a shrinking of intelligence. There is no doubt that the quality of any human group decreases when the number of the individuals composing this group increases beyond certain limits... The best way to increase the intelligence of scientists would be to decrease their number.” [Alexis Carrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-carrel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Excessive division of labor and over‑specialization reduce collective intelligence and creativity. **In simple terms:** Too many narrow experts lower group intelligence. Key Takeaway Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. Themes specialization intelligence collaboration education Mood critical reflective Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - research teams - academic departments - corporate R&D - policy making Key Concepts systems theory cognitive science organizational behavior Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance expertise with integration? - What incentives foster cross‑disciplinary work? A Different Perspective Balancing depth with breadth is challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-way/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Limits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limits/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientist/) [Specialization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/specialization/) [Workers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/workers/) ## Related quotes > [ The best way of increasing the \[average\] intelligence of scientists would be to reduce their number. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-carrel/the-best-way-of-increasing-the-average-intelligence-of-scientists/) [Alexis Carrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-carrel/) > [“Those whose acquaintance with scientific research is derived chiefly from its practical results easily develop a completely false notion of the mentality of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/those-whose-acquaintance-with-scientific-research-is-derived-chiefly/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [After all, we scientific workers ... like women, are the victims of fashion: at one time we wear dissociated ions, at another electrons; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-edward-armstrong/after-all-we-scientific-workers-like-women-are-the-victims-of-fashion/) [Henry Edward Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-edward-armstrong/) > [We should strive to welcome change and challenges, because they are what help us grow. 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