INTRODUCTION
Historically, scholarship has had a profound influence on shaping our understanding of humanity and its ultimate purpose. However, in some instances, this influence has led to the creation of false narratives that have become deeply ingrained in our collective consciousness. These narratives are not only persuasive in public discourse but also perpetuated relentlessly, with disregard for their devastating consequences. Resolving new-era challenges will depend on quality thinking backed by objective research with conclusions founded on sound reasoning. We present the following as an opening salvo.
DEFINITION
Scholarship: For the purposes of this discussion, we define scholarship as a disciplined intellectual endeavor undertaken to elucidate and ascertain the veracity of a particular matter or to apply previously determined truths in a practical manner. Notably, important propositional truths transcend mere moral injunctions and establish the relationship between scholarship and other human endeavors. Scholarship, characterized by its broad scope, serves as the foundation for insights into harmonious interactions between it and the diverse activities carried out within the context of global human development. It means to be well-equipped intellectually in a manner that shuns biased observation in favor of objective reasoning.
SIGNIFICANCE
The significance of scholarship within the context of the above and efforts to establish viable global communities must be generally recognized and accepted as a mutually beneficial relationship, although it is important to acknowledge that the relationship between scholars, or communities of scholars, and society at large has never been entirely unified. However, scholars must adopt a pragmatic approach in contemporary discourse in order to provide a vision, understanding, and direction that avoids entrenched caricatures and expands their perspectives to encompass the diverse views that are prevalent in societies, in particular, the inter-relational and mutually supportive garnered through African, Asian, European, Asian, Islander societies, and others. This approach provides a broad but crucial framework for achieving appeal in the new era.
ACTIVITY
Let us briefly comment on certain aspects of this definition. Firstly, intellectual activity, even that undertaken in pursuit of truth, does not necessarily constitute scholarship. While we may sincerely seek the truth of a matter and invest considerable energy in this pursuit, it is not scholarship if our efforts lack discipline, are frantic, unsystematic, purely spontaneous, or haphazard. Of course, there are instances when a disciplined approach to truth-seeking is not appropriate, such as when faced with extreme time and circumstance constraints. Therefore, a scholarly approach to truth is not always the optimal strategy.
TRUTH
Secondly, there are numerous forms of disciplined intellectual activity that do not qualify as scholarship because they are not directed towards the pursuit or application of truth. Game-playing and other recreational intellectual pursuits are not scholarship (although a systematic study of a particular game could be). Similarly, intellectual activities aimed at pursuing social goals unrelated to truth-seeking are also examples of non-scholarly disciplines. We may engage in certain intellectual disciplines to intimidate or control others, to market products or ideas, or to elicit desired behaviors from ourselves or others. In some instances, such activities may be based on or related to scholarship, but they can nonetheless be conducted without scholarship and do not themselves constitute scholarship.
VALUE
In general, the social value of scholarship is primarily derived from the degree of systematization it entails. Experience has demonstrated that determining the truth of certain questions often requires extensive periods of time, potentially spanning several human lifetimes. If a scholarly community is established with the intention of systematically exploring such a question, generations of individuals who have acquired a shared discipline and build upon the results of previous scholarship may achieve success where a less systematic approach has failed.
COOPERATION
In most cases, scholarship of this nature can only be undertaken under specific social conditions, as it necessitates a temporary disengagement from the immediate practical concerns of everyday life. Consequently, regardless of the individual’s passion for scholarship, the potential scholar who lacks societal cooperation or understanding is unlikely to succeed. At the same time, society rightly expects scholars to acknowledge the unique conditions they enjoy entail economic sacrifices from others and, as a result of this recognition, to refrain from abusing their privileges.
KEY TAKEWAYS
• Scholarship Definition: Disciplined intellectual activity to ascertain truth or apply previously determined truths practically.
• Scholarship Characteristics: Requires discipline, systematic approach, and focus on truth-seeking or application.
• Non-Scholarly Intellectual Activities: Activities lacking discipline, not aimed at truth, or pursued for social goals unrelated to truth.
• Social Value of Scholarship: Primarily derived from systematization, enabling the pursuit of complex questions over generations.
• Scholarship Requirements: Requires societal cooperation and understanding, as it necessitates a temporary disengagement from immediate practical concerns.
• Scholar’s Obligation: Acknowledging the economic sacrifices made by society and refraining from abusing privileges.
CLARIFICATION
Above, by truth, is meant correspondence with reality. A proposition or theory can be true without our knowledge. Hatcher’s definition of scholarship embodies the normative notion that intellectual investigation must pursue truth as its goal to be considered scholarship. While we may be unsuccessful in discovering the truth, the approach that seeks truth is different from insincere or undisciplined approaches. The latter is less likely to discover truth and more likely to defend preconceived views. Scholars dedicated to truth-seeking are more likely to modify their views based on new evidence.
TRUST
Intellectual professions like scholarship are economically privileged because they consume but don’t produce tangible goods. The social benefits of scholarly work may take several generations to appear, while other intellectual professions (e.g., teachers or administrators) provide immediate and easily assessable benefits. Scholars must maintain a higher level of trust with the general public than other professionals because their work is often judged by peers in the short term.
BASED ON WORKS BY NOTED INDIVIDUALS
William S. Hatcher (1935-2005). As a mathematician, philosopher, and educator. A specialist in the philosophical interpenetration of science and religion, he held, for over forty years, university positions and lectured widely in North America, Europe, and Russia.
Bertrand Arthur William Russell (1872-1970). A British philosopher, logician, mathematician, and public intellectual, Russell had influence on mathematics, logic, set theory, and various areas of analytic philosophy.
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716). A German polymath and one of the most important thinkers of the 17th and 18th centuries. He was a mathematician, philosopher, scientist, and diplomat.
View: Philosophy of Understanding
⎯The Institute For Global Promise
