In this blog post, we’ll explore how academic disciplines that appear disconnected from reality can contribute to human progress and the accumulation of knowledge.
What is the ultimate purpose of academia? The reason scholarship is useful in daily life and the pursuit of it brings joy is that scholarship is, after all, nothing other than the pursuit of truth. Truth and scholarship are not defined by their practicality or entertainment value. Rather, it is precisely because they are truth that they are useful to human life and bring joy. Usefulness and enjoyment are secondary outcomes of scholarship; it would be difficult to say that they are its ultimate purpose.
The purpose of scholarship lies in the pursuit of truth itself. Saying this may prompt the question, “What is the point of pursuing truth?” but the purpose of scholarship is sufficient in itself. One might even criticize the pursuit of truth as the purpose of scholarship for being too detached from real life and thus overly lofty. However, it is often precisely when scholarship appears to be detached from real life that it bestows its most abundant blessings upon that very life.
In the world, it is common to criticize the research life within the ivory tower—where one knows nothing but scholarship—as an escape from reality; yet we must recognize the great value of the ivory tower. Before modern people could enjoy a life made convenient in every respect, the hard work of scholars within the ivory tower—who turned their backs on such comforts and devoted themselves to the pursuit of truth—was essential to making that very comfort possible. That said, a scholar is not someone who deliberately walks the path of hardship for the sake of others’ enjoyment. A scholar pursues scholarship solely for the sake of seeking truth.
Furthermore, in response to the criticism that scholarship is detached from reality, we need to reconsider the inherent nature of scholarship itself. The pursuit of truth holds infinite value in and of itself and cannot be dictated merely by worldly interests or fleeting curiosities. Those who walk the path of scholarship are often driven by a desire to explore truth on a broader and deeper level rather than by immediate practical benefits. Consequently, while their research may sometimes appear unrelated to the present reality, it has, in the long run, contributed significantly to the advancement of human knowledge and civilization. For example, just as scientific discoveries made centuries ago have made our lives more convenient today, current academic research may one day bring unexpected benefits to humanity.
In this context, scholarship should not focus solely on immediate results but should evaluate its value from a broader and longer-term perspective. Although the path of scholarship toward the pursuit of truth may be a lonely and arduous journey, the truth reached at the end of that journey will further elevate our existence.
When any purpose other than the pursuit of truth rashly takes precedence in scholarship, there is even a risk that such scholarship will lose its freedom and become distorted. How often do we see scholarship being misused to cause harm? When something other than truth is taken as the goal, that discipline is like a fleeting mirage; it may initially boast a dazzling brilliance, but the very question arises as to whether it can truly be called a discipline at all.
When the pursuit of truth is the sole purpose of scholarship, and when we devote ourselves wholeheartedly to that path, a sublime scholarly spirit—unbound by anything—will cultivate the courage to overcome adversity. Moreover, this path naturally leads to the perfection of our character. The essence of scholarship lies in rationality and empiricism, and its purpose is the pursuit of truth. The authority of scholarship—which cannot be compromised by flattery nor appeased by worldly success—cannot be found outside of this essence and this purpose.
Thus, even if scholarship does not find immediate application in the real world, it ultimately serves as a vital cornerstone for humanity’s intellectual and cultural development. The intrinsic value of scholarship lies in the fact that it is not merely a tool for satisfying human curiosity, but must serve as the driving force behind human progress.
