This is worth exploring, and I think there’s another aspect of it that relates: the distinction between edge and level. Whether you’re improving something, or maintaining a standard. Your comment about
if the field of science were rife with dishonesty, whether it would be better for me to focus on becoming more honest than the average scientist, or focus on Some Other Cause, such as avoiding eating meat.
gets to this—why does it matter that the field is rife with dishonesty (also, why not do both, but that’s another discussion)?
This is worth exploring, and I think there’s another aspect of it that relates: the distinction between edge and level. Whether you’re improving something, or maintaining a standard. Your comment about
gets to this—why does it matter that the field is rife with dishonesty (also, why not do both, but that’s another discussion)?