[:en]Phenomenologists outside the G7 and the Open Commons[:]

[:en]Phenomenologists in Latvia are hindered by a constant struggle for access to research materials. Most researchers in affluent nations perhaps take for granted that they can go to their home institution’s library, and have most – if not all – of the books and journals they need within arm’s reach, or instantly available online through subscription databases. But this is not the case for those living and working in many parts of the world. If we want, for example, to work with the Husserliana volumes, then there is a real problem. Only one volume is available to us at the University of Latvia. Things get even worse when it comes to works by lesser known authors, not to mention current literature.

There are several reasons for this shortage of research materials. First, Latvia’s economy is considerably small. Government expenditures on research and development here are one of the lowest in the EU, and, despite promises by our government, funding for humanities has dropped in recent years. Second, our philosophical, not to mention phenomenological, community is very small. It does not make fiscal sense for our libraries to acquire incredibly expensive specialized texts or to subscribe to databases for only a few dozen researchers. Money is therefore systematically funneled away from the humanities toward the natural sciences. Those who truly love wisdom should be concerned by this.

In order to get the items they need, philosophers have limited options. One is to order an item from abroad through interlibrary loan. But it can take anywhere from a few weeks up to several months for items to arrive. Sometimes items never arrive at all. This is not an efficient way for us to conduct our work. Most researchers probably take for granted the infrastructure and cost associated with an efficient and reliable interlibrary loan system. Another option is to use one’s own private funds to purchase the materials they need or to travel abroad to conduct research at another university. Unfortunately, these are not viable options for many. Let’s not forget the growing number of academics who find themselves among the working poor. Another option is to rely upon the generosity of friends and colleagues living and working abroad to get the materials for you. The last resort is to rely on “sketchy” internet sources, the legality of which is at best unclear.

The Open Commons of Phenomenology, with its constantly growing repository of texts, is an answer to these inefficient ways of accessing information. But the benefits of the Open Commons do not end here. It is also an interface for phenomenologists around the world to create and maintain blogs dedicated to specific topics, societies or institutions, and to work together to advance and promote research by sharing ideas, materials, and translations. These initiatives are crucial for the survival of small phenomenological communities. Take, for instance, the Rustik blog, the aim of which is to promote the work of early 20th century Russian and Baltic philosophers and psychologists who contributed to the phenomenological movement.

The open access resources and the infrastructure provided by the Open Commons is invaluable and of utmost importance for the future of small phenomenological enclaves around the world like the one in Latvia. Our sustainability and growth is dependent on initiatives like the Open Commons. But perhaps even more importantly, by supporting the Open Commons we contribute to the future of the phenomenological movement itself and thus to something that will benefit us all.

Please, help this excellent project by backing them on Indiegogo!

Uldis Vēgners & Māra Grīnfelde (University of Latvia Institute of Philosophy and Sociology)

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