【Sazerac】 Issue 40

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40"Scholars and researchers should not be concerned with whether their work makes a contribution to the larger society. It is more important that they pursue their individual interests, however unusual or idiosyncratic those interests may seem."

I generally disagree with the dual assertions in the topic. Firstly, scholars and researchers are inevitably concerned about whether their study will benefit the public. At the same time, we should not ignore the fact that not every scholars and researchers, at any time, can well know that what contribution of their studies will make. Secondly, while it is undeniable that individual interest serves as the motivator in making scholars and researchers keep going in the process of academic study, the claim that personal preference is more important than public benefit is poor-supported.

At the beginning, it is necessary for scholars and researchers to prove that their work will make a contribution to the large society, which plays a vitally significant role in their academic career.
As we know, a certain group or person seldom have enough money to advocate to academic research, in that the material resources, human resources as well as other necessary support are beyond they can afford. Therefore, no matter in universities, organizations, or companies, if a program need to be permitted and get enough financial support, oftentimes the applicants need to persuade the council that their study will make something different for the human beings depending on existing date or achievement. Obviously, for scholars and researchers, if they do not design a meaningful project which truly has merits for the development of the society, how they can convince the people to grant money to them. Let alone to let the project work smoothly.

Although the potential value of scholars' and researchers' work is essential for them, however, in many cases, it is quite difficult to examine whether the study can make sense, even make some progress. Like in the field of medical science, do the scholars and researchers really have idea about whether their work can make contribution to resolve the pressing diseases, such as cancer or AIDS. I'm afraid not. Since the long-term research need a series of experiment and test, even if the scientists can make sure that one of the mechanism can positively affect the internal environment, it still take a considerable long time for these theory to apply in clinic. The case of Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine in 2009 can aptly exemplify this. After all, the silence of genes is not the same thing as curing cancer.

Even if the meaning and possible attribution of scholars' and researchers' work remains uncertain sometimes, it is unfairly to claim that pursuing their individual interests is superior to public welfare. From my perspective, when scholars and researchers choose their major, or the theme of their projects, they may incline to their personal preference under the possible condition, and that is the indicator of their individual interests. Nevertheless, do scholars and researchers will do some invaluable and meaningless academic work just for satisfying their personal interests? The chance of the assumption is remote for the reason that academic work is not an amateur but the admirable career for them.

To sum up, the necessity and difficulty of concerning whether the work can contribute to the large society coexist all the time for scholars and researchers. Meanwhile it is human nature that people like to do something they are interested, as a result, they can get more happiness and comfortable environment in which they work. So, when they make decisions during their academic career, they choose the one that relatively fascinate them. However, during the progress of researching in the future, they will and must consider the possible value of their work.