I had an illuminating conversation with a friend once. We were contrasting the values of our respective areas of interest (her - business, me - research) and I

I had an illuminating conversation with a friend once. We were contrasting the values of our respective areas of interest (her - business, me - research) and I realised something odd. To her, non-commercial research is a nice luxury we can afford in addition to the principal purpose of society, advancing material condition. To me, material advance is mostly the necessary price we must pay to accomplish what's truly important - advancing our understanding of everything around us. Obviously I'm simplifying somewhat, research is often necessary for material advance and I'm not about to trade in my creature comforts, but the two worldviews are fundamentally at odds, and trying to understand the purpose of one in terms of advancing the other is fruitless. Research into history isn't designed to answer your priorities. But to those interested in it, it's the fundamental point, for which addressing your priorities is merely necessary bookkeeping.