Comedians always get a laugh when they claim the brain as their second most cherished organ. But ask the question seriously. With Shakespeare surely. But not with most writers, including Stephen Marx. I considered that question in my interviews with scientists during my Cohen phase.
Scientific research is a collaborative activity, even among bitter competitors.
Their work builds on that of others. Even a mediocre scientist can boast that he sees farther than some famous predecessor, because he is standing on his shoulders. By contrast, our trade is solitary, not cooperative, and generally not progressive.