I know lots of academics are struggling right now with doing research. This is not just because of circumstances (online teaching, fear, job uncertainty, job loss for some of us, esp those on fixed-term contracts), but also because one might wonder: what's the point of it? 1/
Some thoughts on that... Well, I do think it's important to be reflective, not just in times of pandemic or other disaster but just regularly, about whether our research is time well spent or whether we can put our energies elsewhere. So that's good. Still... 2/
Ultimately, if your research is worthwhile, if it contributes some good, whether epistemic, practical, or is maybe even if it's just fun and playful (I think sometimes metaphysics is like that, but what do I know), it is worthwhile doing it also now, maybe especially now 3/
Particularly if your research contributes some good that is not pandemic related (and we can't all suddenly be public philosophers who can say useful things about this. Many of us can and I value them for it, but not all of us can) it's worthwhile to keep doing it. 4/
So, don't ditch that project you think is worthwhile because of a feeling of futility! At least, that's what I think. And maybe indirectly, your work is still relevant to what's going on, and maybe it can still unexpectedly contribute in some meaningful way. 5/
For instance, I'm working on a book on evolutionary ethics and the origins of ethical norms and behavior in our deep ancestral past, focusing on archaeological evidence for ethical behavior. I think it's relevant because this can help us understand what sort of creature we are 6/
And moving forward (and we eventually will be past this) what sort of creature we can be, how we can best support each other, how we can help each other flourish & thrive /end
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