After Stoic Week 2025

Why Stoics Should Volunteer for Research Projects

Stoicism teaches us to live in harmony with nature, embrace virtue, and act for the common good. Volunteering as a human subject in research aligns perfectly with these principles. By participating, you contribute to the advancement of knowledge - a rational pursuit that benefits humanity. Research drives progress in medicine, psychology, organizational behavior, rehabilitation science and communicative disorders, reducing suffering and improving lives. What could be more virtuous than aiding such efforts?

A Stoic understands that our choices define our character. Choosing to volunteer is an exercise in courage and wisdom. It is not reckless; ethical research prioritizes safety and informed consent. You act not for personal gain, but for the greater good - a hallmark of justice and benevolence. And even when a payment is made, it can be used to buy books by Dr. Lopez, Dr. Robertson and Dr. Pigliucci so they will be encouraged to write more books about Stoicism for us moderns.

Moreover, volunteering offers an opportunity to practice indifference to discomfort. 

• I admit I’ve found it dull to fill out surveys.  
• I almost fell asleep doing nothing but listening to individual words while my pupil dilation was being measured. 
• Though I was patting myself on the back for undertaking a test of bravery, I found more tedious than bracing Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, a form of electrical stimulation that involves applying a small amount of current over different areas of my brain. 

Whether the study involves a questionnaire, boredom, or a minor inconvenience (or major – like dealing with parking lots at any university), you can view it as training in resilience. By accepting these challenges calmly and in generous spirit, you embody Stoic ideals in action. 

You don't need to be suffering an ailment to qualify to enter a study - you can provide data as a normal, healthy control subject that fits the inclusion criteria of the study.

In short, research participation is a rational, virtuous, and socially responsible choice. It is a way to live your philosophy - put it into action and make a difference. Will you seize this chance to generate knowledge and serve humanity?

Ways to find Research Projects to Volunteer For

Call the office of your local university’s VP of Research. Ask for the web address of the college’s Research Registry (Portal). An example can be found here.

ClinicalTrials.gov – The largest global registry of clinical trials. You can search by condition, location, or study type. [clinicaltrials.gov]

ResearchMatch – A free, NIH-funded platform that connects volunteers with researchers across the U.S. for health-related studies. [researchmatch.org]