>>9822016Geologist here. I don't specialize in paleontology, it's out of my field, but I have deep respect for them.
If you're asking about monetary reasons, like trying to force all sciences to justify themselves based on how much money they can earn for someone the answer is that the more we know about paleontology the more accurate our search for minerals and oil.
On a secondary selfish level people have an interest in fossils and it's possible to make money by selling such people pieces or by selling tours to see them as exhibits.
Honestly though there is the search for knowledge for its own sake which betters humanity. There should be no need for further justification but I notice some 'cough cough conservatives' people who insist everything make a profit studying fossils still leads us to make money and it still justifies itself.
