I think that some causes may have increasing marginal utility. Specifically, I think that it may be true in some types of research that are expected to generate insights about it’s own domain.
Testing another idea for a cancer treatment is probably of decreasing marginal utility (because the low hanging fruits are being picked up), but basic research in genetics may be of increasing marginal utility (because even if others may work on the best approaches, you could still improve their productivity by giving them further insights).
This is not true if the progress in a field relies on progressing along a single “dimension” (say, a specific research direction that everyone attempts), or if researchers in that field can easily and productively change their projects and expertise.
It is true if there are multiple dimensions available, and progress along a different dimension wields insight for others to use.
I think that some causes may have increasing marginal utility. Specifically, I think that it may be true in some types of research that are expected to generate insights about it’s own domain.
Testing another idea for a cancer treatment is probably of decreasing marginal utility (because the low hanging fruits are being picked up), but basic research in genetics may be of increasing marginal utility (because even if others may work on the best approaches, you could still improve their productivity by giving them further insights).
This is not true if the progress in a field relies on progressing along a single “dimension” (say, a specific research direction that everyone attempts), or if researchers in that field can easily and productively change their projects and expertise.
It is true if there are multiple dimensions available, and progress along a different dimension wields insight for others to use.