Over-specialization

Experimental visualization of narrower problems

Other Names:

Lack of generalists
Excessive specialization

Nature:

Science and technology, and knowledge in general, have developed at such a rate and in such a way that it is no longer possible for one person to maintain an integrated overview or to provide any viable synthesis of the perspectives of different disciplines. In addition, no effort is made to educate people as generalists capable of responding, even in a limited manner, to the insights of a wide range of disciplines. Education, training, and work skills are compartmentalized. As a result, it is left to the person administering a project to make use of whatever scattered items of information and advice appear relevant in terms of whatever educational background and experience he may have had.

Broader Problems:

Outdated production line methods
General obstacles to problem alleviation

Narrower Problems:

Asperger's syndrome
Over-specialization in sciences
Over-specialization in education
Over-specialization in technology
Over-specialization in medical care
Fragmentation of academic disciplines
Over-specialized supervisory personnel
Over-specialization in international trade
Over-specialized study of global ecosystem

About the Encyclopedia

The Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential is a unique, experimental research work of the Union of International Associations. It is currently published as a searchable online platform with profiles of world problems, action strategies, and human values that are interlinked in novel and innovative ways. These connections are based on a range of relationships such as broader and narrower scope, aggravation, relatedness and more. By concentrating on these links and relationships, the Encyclopedia is uniquely positioned to bring focus to the complex and expansive sphere of global issues and their interconnected nature.

The initial content for the Encyclopedia was seeded from UIA’s Yearbook of International Organizations. UIA’s decades of collected data on the enormous variety of association life provided a broad initial perspective on the myriad problems of humanity. Recognizing that international associations are generally confronting world problems and developing action strategies based on particular values, the initial content was based on the descriptions, aims, titles and profiles of international associations.

About UIA

The Union of International Associations (UIA) is a research institute and documentation centre, based in Brussels. It was established in 1907, by Henri la Fontaine (Nobel Peace Prize laureate of 1913), and Paul Otlet, a founding father of what is now called information science.

Non-profit, apolitical, independent, and non-governmental in nature, the UIA has been a pioneer in the research, monitoring and provision of information on international organizations, international associations and their global challenges since 1907.

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Over-specialization

About the Encyclopedia

About UIA