Which research method, quantitative or qualitative, leads humans to more truth?

"It would be possible to describe everything scientifically, but it would make no sense; it would be without meaning, as if you described a Beethoven symphony as a variation of wave pressure."-Albert Einstein. "As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality."-Albert Einstein. "God doesn't play dice."-Albert Einstein. "If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?"-Albert Einstein.





Based on the above quotations and the fact that Einstein was a physicist, a discipline known for "hard" quantitative data and mathematics (E=mc^2), did Einstein believe more truth could be found using qualitative or quantitative research? Why? Which method do YOU think leads humans to MORE truth? Why? Explain thoroughly.

Which research method, quantitative or qualitative, leads humans to more truth?
Based on your data, I think Einstein understood that quantitative facts mean nothing if there is nothing qualitative to compare them to. I think he was saying that the two go hand in hand and so you can't determine more truth with either one.





I am a Bible-believing Christian. I believe Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6) and the Bible is God's Word. Therefore, you can find truth by studying the Bible, keeping in mind that you must interpret it the way the original audience would've interpreted it, unless that particular part wasn't meant for you to take literally, in order to get the accurate message that God is trying to give to you. Don't try to make the Bible say what you want it to say. Instead, submit yourself to what it does say, whether you like it or not. In the Old Testament, God told the Israelites to wipe out the Canaanites and take the land. Those passages were for ancient Israel specificly. They are not for us to take literally. Whenever you read the Old Testament, you should read it in light of the New Testament.





Anyway, I believe that without the Bible as a guide in life, you will never be able to determine truth very well about anything that really matters in the long run.
Reply:This is a very deep and thoughtful question, so I shall do my best to express my thorough opinion.


Based on Einstein's first quote, I would at first glance say he believed in qualitative data. I would think this because of his opinion of the complicated way things can be thought out with scientific knowledge. But then again, thinking about how we hear the sound of the keyboard letters noisily slide against one another as I type this, if I tried to explain why it makes that noise scientifically then it contain much more qualitative data. Although simple, I believe it's all relative, just like his other quotes.


I personally believe qualitative data leads humans to more truth, as it can include more detail in my opinion. You can hardly grasp the meaning of beauty, hatred, or life with mere quantitative data, but perhaps that's a stretch.


I'm sure this wasn't exactly what you were looking for in your 'thoroughly explained' essay prompt, but those are my opinions. Very good question, anyways.
Reply:The ultimate goal of knowledge is to find TRUTH not POWER.





According to great philosophers, we gain knowledge by AUTHORITY, REASON and EXPERIENCE in different proportions.





Knowing is a process or a procession towards the TRUTH. Quantitative and qualitative knowing is inversely proporional. As Peter Kreeft said, the more analysis, the less synthesis.





The more you see the sea as a tons of H20 and NaCl molecules, the less beauty and truth you will see.





We should not be deconstructionist. Scientific process is not the only way to find the truth.





TRUTH like GOODNESS and BEAUTY are eternal. They cannot be quantified.





The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.


-Albert Einstein





The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity. - Albert Einstein





Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.


- Albert Einstein, (attributed)