Investigating for What Purpose?
In the heart of Princeton University, a history student embarks on a captivating research journey, delving into the transformation of Native American spirituality from the 1830s to the 1890s. This exploration serves as a useful exercise in understanding the past and learning from its lessons, particularly in the context of the United States' policies towards Native Americans during the 1800s.
The student, driven by intellectual curiosity and a desire for personal growth, is motivated by the intrinsic intellectual fulfillment that comes from engaging with complex questions about human existence, culture, and values. This aligns with Maslow’s higher-level motivational needs, such as the pursuit of personal growth, beauty, and a connection to broader human or universal truths.
The student is not alone in this pursuit. Researchers in the humanities, across universities worldwide, are primarily motivated by a desire to cultivate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of human culture, history, and experience. Their work often aims to push the boundaries of knowledge in fields that explore meaning, values, and human creativity beyond purely vocational or technical goals.
However, the author recognises that the academic world often requires researchers to justify their work to professors and funding boards. Yet, the student encourages fellow Princeton students to consider the "big picture" of their research and its significance as a social movement. The author believes that the feelings of purpose, meaning, and connection to the academic tradition will be more lasting than the grades received on research papers.
The student's research is expected to take a significant amount of time, a testament to the depth and complexity of the subject matter. The author does not discuss any specific goals or outcomes for the research beyond learning from the past and understanding how not to make the same mistakes.
The shared desire in all fields of research is to bring the best ideas of humankind to light. While economists strive to understand how to allocate scarce resources efficiently to make the most of life, psychologists and sociologists analyse human motivations and behaviours to understand how we function and organise our lives. Some researchers, such as certain biologists, conduct research with the aim of better understanding diseases like tumors with the goal of curing cancer.
Meanwhile, in the social sciences, the motivating goal is societal optimization. Many political scientists and public policy researchers study laws and systems of government with an eye toward tackling problems and implementing concrete solutions. Psychologists and sociologists, on the other hand, study human motivations and behaviours to understand how we function and organise our lives.
The author's research is a testament to the enduring spirit of the university system, which dates back to the 13th century and represents a collaborative, decentralized experiment in personal freedom of thought and action. The author, a student of history interested in public service, is contributing to this rich tradition, fostering ongoing critical inquiry and adaptability, essential for both academic and broader social engagement.
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