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May 16, 1959, Vol 170, No. 3 >
ARTICLE | May 16, 1959

SPECIALIZATION AND THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

Moody E. Prior, Ph.D.
JAMA. 1959;170(3):289-294. doi:10.1001/jama.1959.03010030033010.
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ABSTRACT

To what extent is specialization compatible with the pursuit of excellence? This is the question implicit in the association of these two ideas in our title. And since we are living in a civilization which requires and cultivates a higher degree of specialization than any in the past, we are also asking by implication whether our civilization is compatible with the pursuit and attainment of excellence.

Problems of Excellence  It is safe to assume general agreement on the proposition that the attainment of excellence is the proper end in the cultivation and use of our faculties, just as health is the proper condition of our bodies. Among normal people a serious disregard of health is felt to be irresponsible and the deliberate committing of acts which must destroy health is regarded as abnormal. We have somewhat the same feelings about people who misuse their faculties, fail to cultivate their talents,

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