A study note on Descartes' ideas on ontology and epistemology with reference to Research Methods: for MBA students (information from perplexity.ai)
My question 1: "What is Rene Descartes' ideas on ontology and epistemology with reference to the subject of Research Methods in social science?"
The reply: "René Descartes' ideas on ontology and epistemology have foundational significance in philosophy and can be related to research methods in social science by understanding his dualistic ontology and his method of radical doubt as an epistemological approach.
Descartes' Ontology
Descartes' ontology is characterized by a dualistic view of reality, dividing existence into two fundamental substances:
Res Cogitans (Thinking Substance): The mind or soul, which is immaterial and characterized by thought, doubt, understanding, and willing.
Res Extensa (Extended Substance): The body or material substance, characterized by extension in space and subject to mechanistic laws.
This dualism asserts that mind and body are distinct and fundamentally different kinds of substances2. Ontologically, Descartes also distinguishes between substances, attributes, and modes. Substances are independent entities; attributes are essential qualities of substances; and modes are dependent properties or states that cannot exist without the substance3. For example, modes depend ontologically on the substance’s essence.
Further, Descartes’ ontological argument for God's existence posits that existence is necessarily included in the essence of a supremely perfect being (God), unlike finite things whose essence does not include existence1. This ontological framework underpins his metaphysical system, which is crucial for grounding certainty in knowledge.
Descartes' Epistemology
Descartes is famous for his method of radical or hyperbolic doubt, where he systematically doubts all beliefs that can be called into question to find an indubitable foundation for knowledge. This leads to his famous conclusion "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am"), which is the first principle of his epistemology — the self-evident truth that the thinking self exists2.
From this epistemological ground-zero, Descartes reconstructs knowledge by:
Demonstrating the existence of a non-deceptive God, ensuring that clear and distinct perceptions are reliable.
Establishing that knowledge of the external material world is possible because God is not a deceiver.
Emphasizing reason and clear, distinct ideas as the basis for certain knowledge, rejecting reliance on sensory experience alone, which can be deceptive2.
This epistemology is foundational and rationalist, emphasizing innate ideas and deductive reasoning.
Relevance to Research Methods in Social Science
In social science research, ontology and epistemology are crucial because they shape how researchers perceive social reality and how knowledge about it can be acquired4. Descartes’ philosophy influences the positivist paradigm, which is dominant in social science research methods:
Ontologically, positivism aligns with Descartes’ view of an objective reality that exists independently and can be known.
Epistemologically, positivism adopts a scientific, empirical approach to knowledge acquisition, emphasizing observation, measurement, and hypothesis testing, reflecting Descartes’ emphasis on clear and distinct ideas and the mechanistic model of explanation4.
Descartes' insistence on doubt and foundational certainty parallels the positivist method of rigorous hypothesis testing and validation. His mechanistic view of the physical world inspired the adoption of natural science methodologies in social sciences, emphasizing objectivity and replicability24.
In summary, Descartes’ ontology establishes a dualistic reality of mind and matter, while his epistemology provides a method of doubt leading to certain knowledge grounded in reason and God’s non-deceptiveness. These ideas underpin the positivist research paradigm in social science, which seeks objective knowledge through empirical, scientific methods.
References:
Descartes' ontological argument and substance-mode distinction13
Descartes' method of doubt, cogito, and epistemology2
Ontology and epistemology in social science research methods and positivist paradigm"
My question 2: "Please clarify the ideas more by discussing how his ideas will inform the semi-structured interview design on "to evaluate the impacts of corporate work-from-home policy on employees' quality of work life in Hong Kong SME in 2025" with 20 young employees in 2 HK SMEs"?"
The reply: "René Descartes’ ideas on ontology and epistemology can inform the design of a semi-structured interview on evaluating the impacts of corporate work-from-home policy on employees’ quality of work life in Hong Kong SMEs in several ways:
Ontological Implications: Dualism and Reality
Descartes’ dualism distinguishes between mind (thought, subjective experience) and body (material reality). In this research, it suggests recognizing both the subjective experiences of employees (their thoughts, feelings, perceptions about work-from-home) and the objective conditions (actual policies, work environment) affecting their quality of work life.
The ontology implies that employees’ lived experiences are real and valid phenomena to be explored, but also that these experiences exist within a material and organizational reality that can be observed and analyzed.
Epistemological Implications: Method of Doubt and Certainty
Descartes’ method of radical doubt encourages questioning assumptions and seeking clear, distinct ideas. In the semi-structured interview, this translates into:
Preparing an interview guide with focused themes but remaining open to probing and clarifying ambiguous or uncertain points raised by interviewees.
Allowing flexibility to explore new insights or doubts that emerge during the conversation, rather than rigidly adhering to predetermined questions.
The epistemology stresses the importance of critical reflection by the interviewer on the reliability and clarity of the information obtained, aiming to reach a trustworthy understanding of employees’ perspectives.
Practical Application in Semi-Structured Interview Design
Framework with Flexibility: Following Descartes’ emphasis on clear and distinct ideas, the interview guide should have well-prepared thematic questions (e.g., about work-life balance, productivity, stress, communication) but allow spontaneous follow-up questions to deepen understanding based on interviewees’ responses156.
Exploring Subjectivity and Objectivity: Questions should probe both subjective feelings (e.g., “How do you feel the work-from-home policy has affected your daily work experience?”) and objective aspects (e.g., “What changes in your work routine have you noticed since the policy was implemented?”), reflecting Cartesian dualism.
Critical Reflection and Iteration: The interviewer should be aware of potential biases and actively reflect on the data’s clarity and validity, possibly revising questions after pilot interviews to sharpen the focus and reduce ambiguity, consistent with Descartes’ epistemological rigor13.
Depth and Nuance: The semi-structured format allows capturing the complexity and nuance of employees’ quality of work life, acknowledging that social realities are not simply measurable facts but constructed through individual experiences and interpretations, aligning with the Cartesian view that knowledge must be carefully examined and justified1.
Summary
Descartes’ ontology encourages acknowledging both the mental (experiential) and material (organizational) realities in the research, while his epistemology guides the interviewer to use a methodical, reflective approach to questioning that balances structure with openness to new insights. This philosophical grounding supports the use of semi-structured interviews to obtain rich, credible, and nuanced data on how young employees in Hong Kong SMEs perceive and are affected by work-from-home policies in 2025.
References:
Semi-structured interviews allow flexibility and depth while maintaining focus, enabling exploration of interviewees’ subjective experiences within a thematic framework156.
Development and pilot-testing of interview guides help ensure clarity and validity of data, reflecting Cartesian epistemological rigor3.
The balance of structure and openness in semi-structured interviews aligns with Descartes’ method of doubt and pursuit of clear, distinct knowledge1."
My question 3: "How will his ideas shape the flexible yet focused structure of the interview guide?"
The reply: "Descartes’ ideas shape the flexible yet focused structure of a semi-structured interview guide by balancing clear, distinct thematic focus with openness to emergent insights, reflecting his epistemological method of doubt and ontological dualism.
How Descartes’ Ideas Inform the Interview Guide Structure
- Focused Themes with Clear Questions:Descartes emphasized starting from indubitable, clear, and distinct ideas. This translates into designing an interview guide with well-defined core themes relevant to the research question—such as work-from-home impacts on productivity, work-life balance, and stress. These themes provide a clear structure and ensure the interview stays on topic and addresses key issues systematically.
- Flexibility to Probe and Explore Doubts:His method of radical doubt encourages questioning and not accepting assumptions without scrutiny. The interview guide, therefore, must allow space for follow-up questions and probing ambiguous or unexpected answers, enabling the interviewer to explore uncertainties or new perspectives that arise during the conversation. This flexibility helps uncover deeper insights beyond initial assumptions.
- Iterative Refinement:Descartes’ epistemology involves continual reflection and refinement of knowledge. Similarly, the interview guide can be pilot-tested and revised based on early interviews to improve clarity and relevance, ensuring questions elicit clear and meaningful responses.
- Dual Ontology Consideration:The guide should include questions that address both the subjective mental experiences of employees (their feelings, perceptions) and the objective material conditions (organizational policies, work environment), mirroring Descartes’ mind-body dualism. This ensures a holistic understanding of quality of work life.
Summary
Descartes’ philosophy encourages structuring the interview guide around clear, essential themes (reflecting clear and distinct ideas) while maintaining openness to explore and question participants’ responses (reflecting radical doubt). This creates a semi-structured interview that is both focused enough to address research aims and flexible enough to capture rich, nuanced data.
This approach aligns with qualitative research best practices and supports rigorous, reflective data collection in social science research."
My question 4: "How might his philosophies influence the framing of questions to adapt during interviews?"
The reply: "Descartes’ philosophies influence the framing of interview questions to adapt during interviews by emphasizing critical reflection, clarity, and openness to doubt, which guide the interviewer to balance structure with flexibility in real time.
Key Influences on Question Framing and Adaptation
- Emphasis on Clear and Distinct Ideas:Following Descartes’ epistemology, interview questions should be framed clearly and precisely to elicit distinct, reliable insights from participants. This means avoiding vague or leading questions that could bias responses, aligning with concerns about question wording influencing answers1.
- Method of Radical Doubt and Probing:Descartes’ method encourages doubting assumptions and probing deeper into responses. During the interview, this translates into adapting questions based on participants’ answers—asking follow-ups to clarify uncertainties or contradictions, thereby refining understanding rather than accepting superficial responses2. The interviewer remains actively engaged, not just asking preset questions but exploring the meaning behind answers.
- Reflexivity and Avoiding Bias:Descartes’ call for rigorous self-examination supports the interviewer’s reflexivity about how their own assumptions and question phrasing might influence the interview. This reflexivity encourages adapting questions to reduce bias and better capture the interviewee’s authentic perspective1.
- Balancing Structure and Flexibility:While maintaining a focused thematic framework (clear ideas), the interviewer stays open to emergent themes or doubts raised by participants, adjusting questions accordingly. This dynamic approach reflects Descartes’ iterative process of questioning and refining knowledge.
- Rapport and Ethical Framing:Although not directly Cartesian, research shows that framing interviews humanely rather than accusatorily fosters rapport and richer responses5. Descartes’ respect for the thinking subject aligns with treating interviewees as reflective agents whose views merit careful exploration.
Practical Example for Your Study
In evaluating work-from-home impacts, the interviewer might start with a clear question like, “How has the work-from-home policy affected your daily work routine?” If the answer is ambiguous or raises new issues (e.g., feelings of isolation), the interviewer can adapt by asking, “Can you tell me more about how that isolation influences your motivation or productivity?” This adaptive probing embodies Cartesian doubt and pursuit of clear, distinct knowledge.
In summary, Descartes’ philosophies encourage interviewers to frame questions clearly but adaptively, probing responses with critical reflection and openness to doubt. This approach enhances the depth and reliability of qualitative data collected in social science research.
References:
Avoiding leading or biased questions to ensure clarity and reliability1.
Probing responses actively rather than passively accepting answers2.
Importance of interviewer reflexivity and ethical framing for rapport and data quality15."
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