This is a question that all of us should ask ourselves everyday - even if our answers will inevitably differ. For me personally, 'good' academic science is not equivalent with immediate applicability - fundamental science increases the collective knowledge of mankind and provides us with new options to address the grand challenges that we are facing. I consider the training of students towards professional and personal independence and maturity another intrinsic value of academic research.

Nope, we are not....because ......

1. when you do some good science, do publish in good journal its counted as an direct outcome of the govt. funding invested behind us. It raises the scientific impact of your nation.

2. Basic science anyhow is not career motivating. It doesn't reward money, nor ensure jobs rather it demand a hell lot of effort with a nominal money close to a labor working in field. Still countless number of people in INDIA are doing science. Definitely not by forgetting anything.

3. Most importantly if your not in a good position in science community you are not eligible to say anything, nobody will listen you.

So from every angle new science is taking birth everyday. No matter how, either by motivation of a better career or simply by curiosity.

This is a question that all of us should ask ourselves everyday - even if our answers will inevitably differ. For me personally, 'good' academic science is not equivalent with immediate applicability - fundamental science increases the collective knowledge of mankind and provides us with new options to address the grand challenges that we are facing. I consider the training of students towards professional and personal independence and maturity another intrinsic value of academic research.

I think in every field we are satisfying ourselves... It is behavioral... And we are doing two things simultaneously... Satisfying ourselves and at the mean time we are also serving peoples ..by creating new varieties we are helping farmers... By cancer research we are helping our fellow researchers for their better research...

This is philosophical. It's healthy to work hard. If we do well at it, it serves our fellow humans and also gives us personal rewards. Everything should be done honorably -our scientific analyses, our professional writings, our collaboration and help for other scientists. Contrarily, it's unhealthy if we work so much that family, physical fitness, and other duties are neglected. Likewise it is unhealthy to achieve through ill gotten gain.

Dear Friend, Research is not always "application oriented". Sometimes the aim of research is to attain knowledge and to increase our understanding of nature and things around us. Most of the time the results of a research work cannot have a immediate application. But having said that, I have to admit that there are many instances when good results capable of immediate application end up as reports on funding agency's table. Thats why I believe every country should have societies with extension activities. These societies can bridge the gap between research institutes/universities and people.

I think you should re-frame your main question. We all are in the research field because research gives us lot of self satisfaction. Is it not?

I have a different view., I feel, its our choice to be a researcher and doing research for society is our preference goal., But we also are the neglected part, we are not paid higher for our research, our good publication means not more then a paper to a common man. are we appreciated at any public platform for doing something good but non-commercial. we are working for ourselves thats it.

we are in a race of patents and papers coz for making commercial product we will have to be diplomatic and safe for IPR, etc etc and satisfy the financers need.

So friends its a truth that we are working for ourselves. ONLY...

Knowledge interest satisfaction they all have no meaning if your research financer doesnt like it. your company/institution wants results that could be of commercial value not the science that could be of moral or intellect importance.

Now a days education and science both are commercialized. We all want something applied to be researched. And hence majority of todays scientist are not working in this favour of humanity, rather they re indulge in personal satisfaction whether its for impact factor, financial benefit or repute.

Ankur Garg, the point raised for recognition or appreciated depends on the public environment outside an institution. science conferences are the platform to appreciate others and to tag recognitions. it's not necessary to compare ourself with others. there are manu industrialists, celebrities whom we don't know. about salary, researchers still are better than many, have at least some peace of mind.

just keep going on and if someday one get good output, one will be famous..

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher,

“All is vanity.”

Ecclesiastes 12:8

Adam Smith, the father of economics pointed that the pursuit of individual self interest tended to contribute to the greater economic well being of society as a whole.

Philosophically speaking, is there anything that we do in life that is not vanity? Vanity however ensures that we keep ourselves alive, breed, create in many ways and by no obvious route the sum of our selfish pursuits somehow benefit others.

I think the thing we are too often forgetting as a society is to appreciate and reward scientific efforts so that our best young minds will sacrifice somewhat on income to be part of the research community that gives a great deal back to society compared to many professions. Scientists are people. They do seek self-satisfaction and advancement as do any group of people. However for those doing basic research, it is not just all about the money, and this makes researchers as a group more altruistic than many other professions. Doing the best research possible and pushing ourselves and our understanding to the limit can be satisfying and fun. But this does not decrease its multiple benefits to society, as noted in multiple answers. Often the most important benefits from science are the long term ones that are not necessarily noticed or predicted when the breakthrough experiments are being done. So the benefit of research to society is often enigmatic and long-term, but nevertheless important and valuable despite its importance and value being too often unrecognized and underappreciated by others.