At the Crossroads, or A Historian of Philosophy Speaks on the Ethos of Researchers

Artur ANDRZEJUK

Katedra Historii Filozofii Starożytnej i Średniowiecznej, Instytut Filozofii, Wydział Filozofii Chrześcijańskiej, Uniwersytet Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego, ul. Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland , Poland

Abstract

The author refers to the classical concept of the university as a community of teachers and students joined in the common effort of selfless pursuit of truth and discusses the modern concept of the ethos of researchers, traditionally conceived of as ‘servants to truth.’ The theme of the ethos of researchers is elaborated throughout the article from various vantage points: the author describes the responsibilities of researchers as authors, teachers, and masters, as well as peer reviewers and experts. The article extensively discusses the normative acts delineating the ethics of researchers and offers a criticism of the growing bureaucratization of academic work. The author holds that researchers should follow ethical practices in their work rather than let it be ruled by strictly legal regulations.

Translated by Dorota Chabrajska

Keywords:

truth, university, teaching, ethics, the ethos of researchers, bureaucratic approach to research