Academic Curiosity in the Realm of the Law
Legal science evolves in many ways. Academic curiosity is an important drive in that evolution, opening paths of exploration and igniting awareness on the needs of society. Curiosity–in all its forms–deals with exploring, discovering, and learning towards acquiring new knowledge. Its etymology relates to an interest in care (cura). Academic curiosity can take people to different places (in mind and body), exposing them to other cultures and ideas.
Everyone benefits when academic curiosity is nurtured. Faculties of law offer forums where attention can be devoted to exploring, discovering, and learning. Instructors and students can engage in a dialogue that is led by the curiosity to understand legal science and to find ways to respond to the needs of society. Everyone would benefit by caring to regularly attend academic events (ia, workshops, roundtables), being familiarized with the most current developments in their different fields of interest. Everyone would likewise benefit by caring to engage in an academic visit (Peregrinatio Academica), travelling to places to gain knowledge, to meet with others beyond their existing circles and networks. Everyone would benefit by caring to read (and to re-read) about the law and beyond, exploring manifestations of law and popular culture. Reading with a critical eye–as if dissecting a source–is a key to knowledge and it offers an effective way to nurture curiosity. It can help to erect and challenge argumentative lines, identifying foundations on which ideas can be contrasted and explored.
Comfort zones and limitations can be left behind when academic curiosity is expanded. Different beings are inclined to curiosity in different ways. Their care results in diverse manifestations and inclinations, yet everyone can expand the interest towards acquiring new knowledge. Research is a valuable tool when aiming to expand curiosity. It should be at hand (and applied) when exploring a topic that is of care for instructors and students. Curiosity will fuel that exploration, inviting for comparisons and for more in-depth analysis, contrasting different doctrines and positions. Curiosity leads towards a constant process of discovery that results in an enriching learning experience. It can be expanded when actors allow themselves to challenge uncontested dogmas and to revisit ideas they endorsed. Re-thinking will reignite a research cycle, calling for a new research path, this time from a more mature and evolved state. Curiosity can therefore help in the evolution of legal science!
Academic curiosity should be disseminated within different forums. A contagium of academic curiosity can only but be beneficial for the development of legal science, triggering an upward spiral of synergy. Curious people benefit from engaging with curious people, yet they likewise would benefit by caring to welcome new members to their communities. Dialogue amongst academic curious people results in many questions that call for answers and in calls for action. Acting as part of a team offers a fertile ground for curiosity, offering a playfield where students and instructors can interact and share best practices. Exemplary actions by curios people can inspire others and trigger that urge for care in all members of the legal community.
Academic curiosity tends to fade away (or even disappear) when people act in isolation or when they move within water-tight compartments. Collegiate efforts should therefore blossom. Everyone benefits when academic curiosity is nurtured, expanded, and disseminated, always.
A. Parise
Agustín Parise (Buenos Aires, Argentina) is Associate Professor of Law and Chair of the Faculty Council at the Faculty of Law of Maastricht University. He received his degrees of LL.B. (abogado) and LL.D. (doctor en derecho) at Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina), where he was Lecturer in Legal History during 2001-2005. He received his degree of LL.M.

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