Hello Recep,

Thank you very much for posting your question to ResearchGate.

It is totally on point and I was similarly wondering why such attributes are rampant in the academic fields and amongst researchers.

Personally, I believe several factors may contribute to the "overflowing" jealousy, arrogance, and "toxic" competitiveness in academia:

1. The "Publish or Perish" approach some institutions adopt is a major factor. Unfortunately, research is turning into a "Factory" of papers. No quality is being looked at - rather people tend to ask how "many" publications you have, and not how "impactful" they've been to the scientific community.

A direct consequence of this approach institutions have been increasingly adopting is - undoubtedly - the low quality of some research publications as well as increased competitiveness among researchers.

I have noticed - first-hand - how some people let go of basic human principles such as respect and dignity just to have their names on a research publication.

Some people - nowadays - no longer look to others' advancements in their careers as "motivation" for their own progress. Rather, they adopt a more sinister approach by undermining others' efforts or creating unnecessary barriers to prevent other people's achievements from reaching the wider scientific community.

Before being immersed in the research field, I looked up to each and every researcher as the "Epitome" of success and as a potential role model. This slowly disappeared over time the more I dived in deeper into the field.

Fortunately, blessed have I been to meet and get to know truly ambitious personalities and pious people who spread their hands out to offer help and guidance to junior researchers - in exchange for nothing!

These observations and experiences made me vow never to follow the toxic pathways some people have pioneered but rather to craft my own path free of unhealthy competitiveness and arrogance.

2. Lack of core beliefs and principles. These are shaped by your environment, the household you've been brought up in, and your spiritual beliefs. It is quite unfortunate to learn that young researchers are looking up to suspicious senior researchers with the attributes you've mentioned in your question. I've fallen into this trap too.

What pulled me out, however, was my core belief that helping others in their struggles and sharing knowledge HAS never and WILL never reduce your share of knowledge nor undermine your ranking among other people.

3. Human nature. Building up on the last point, it is not easy to not be arrogant. Publishing in a top-tier journal or winning an award makes you feel as if you own the entire world! One has to be reminded how little knowledge we possess as the human race - despite all progress in scientific research.

One could also have a firm belief that there is a higher being - much stronger, much more powerful, more knowing - that splits and distributes wealth, knowledge, power, and position. You get as much as you put in - as simple as that.

A verse from one of the chapters of the Quran - the book followers of the Islamic faith believe in - states:

And do not crave what God has given some of you over others. Men will be rewarded according to their deeds and women ˹equally˺ according to theirs. Rather, ask God for His bounties. Surely God has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things. 4:32

The way I personally view other people's successes is my failure to put in as much effort and sweat as they've put in. Therefore, I resort to increasing my output to match theirs - without ever undermining their achievements. One must always look to others' progress as motivation for their own.

4. Scarcity of Resources and Opportunities. Prestigious positions, funding, and collaborative opportunities are limited. This scarcity creates a competitive atmosphere where academics may perceive others as "obstacles" to their own success.

Hopefully, people will start to recognize how "destructive" such notions are and will begin adopting a more balanced mindset built on healthy competition.

Thank you once again for bringing this topic of discussion into the spotlight.

Dear Mohamed I. Mohamed

Thank you very much for this wonderful reply that reminds us once again how important it is to “be virtuous”, “be moral” and ultimately “be human”.

I absolutely agree with what you say, your experiences and opinions are very valuable. In addition to what you have said, I would like to add the following:

In our holy book, the Quran, which I also believe in, it is stated many times that “God is the best knower”. Similar statements can be found in other holy books.

***

There is “arrogance”, “jealousy” and “competition” in many fields, but it is surprising that these traits are at a high level in academia. Normally, the more a person reads, the more they learn and the more they learn, the more they realize how much they need knowledge. Because human beings are not perfect beings and they are not equipped with perfect knowledge.

The tragicomic aspect of it is that some people in academia who attend a congress, symposium or TV program or write an article or receive an award (I think this is a highly controversial issue) are not even allowed to pass in front of or near them. Noses are in the air. Arrogance is at its peak.

In my opinion, the main characteristics and requirements of the academic field are “ETHICS”, “BEING VIRTUOUS”, and “MORALITY”. I think scientific ethics, scientific morality and being a virtuous person are extremely important.

I think absurd arrogance, unjustified jealousy and unnecessary competition contradict the three items I mentioned above.

***

What matters is whether we prefer “good” or “evil”. The choice is ours.

***

I have witnessed some people who treat almost everyone in front of them as “idiots”, who see almost everyone except themselves as “ignorant”, who are not ashamed of humiliating people, who are at the peak of arrogance, dying after contracting a virus that is too small to be seen during the Covid-19 period.

I think the four reasons you have identified in your response are very valuable. and I absolutely agree with these four topics and the discussions you have made.

I wonder if we can add mental health or mental illnesses as a fifth item to these four reasons/items. I don't know. Because the fact that arrogance, jealousy and competition are at the highest level in academia compared to other fields really makes one think. I wonder if there are psychological or psychiatric disorders underlying this kind of behavior? I wonder what medical professionals would say about this, especially doctors of clinical psychology and psychiatry. I mean, I think this is a very serious problem. Could there be medical reasons for this along with the reasons you have identified?

I mean, excessive arrogance, very high ego, excessive jealousy and unnecessary competition, are these symptoms of illness/disease?

Best Wishes,

Recep Baydemir

Esas subjetividades están interiorizadas en las organizaciones y afectan la calidad y el alcance de la producción científica, (en mi campo). Intuyo que esas actitudes y sentimientos tienen mayor presencia en nuestra América latina y regiones desfavorecidas. Esto responde a un paradigma de carencias, del mínimo vital aplicado a las organizaciones. Existen pocos espacios y quienes logran ocuparlos en la academia "lo cuidan celosamente" - que usualmente se traduce en anulación de la competencia.

Por otra parte, existe una escasa cultura del debate entre profesionales, pienso que se da por la falta o débiles competencias del siglo XXI. Puntos de vista distintos al planteado por una persona, son personalizados y conllevan a la anulación del "oponente" y finalmente, investigaciones han evidenciado la presencia de patrones biológico - epigenética- que determinan carácter poco tolerante y actitud de arrogancia en defensa.

Hola Norma Eunice Alfaro ,

¡Gran respuesta! Nos permite ver el tema desde una perspectiva diferente. muchas gracias!

Con mis mejores deseos

Hello Norma Eunice Alfaro,

Great answer! It allows us to see the issue from a different perspective. thank you very much!

Best wishes