Janeiro de 2025 - vídeo 3

Summary

This transcript discusses the importance of integrating both English and German philosophical traditions in shaping methodologies for social sciences. It highlights how English philosophers, especially Bentham, formed utilitarianism, while German philosophers contributed to Marxist approaches. The speaker also critiques the separation between quantitative and qualitative methods in areas like economics and public health. Emphasizing the need for collaboration, the transcript discusses how modern advancements, such as the Nobel Prize in economics, encourage the combination of these methodologies to address global issues, especially in developing countries.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of studying both English (utilitarianism) and German (Marxism) philosophers to understand the methodologies behind social science practices.
• 😀 The integration of quantitative and qualitative methodologies in the social sciences is critical for tackling complex issues in both developed and developing countries.
• 😀 Despite the advanced use of quantitative methods in developed countries, there is a lack of similarly developed methodologies in developing countries, particularly in public health.
• 😀 In Brazil, the German influence on public health is strong, but it differs from the international approach by being influenced by Marxism and neglecting qualitative methods.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the importance of understanding both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of social science to address challenges more effectively.
• 😀 The economics curriculum in Brazil is primarily dominated by qualitative methodologies, which creates a gap in addressing economic issues with a more scientific, quantitative approach.
• 😀 The influence of global methodologies in Brazil, such as those used in the United States, does not always translate well to solving the economic problems of the country.
• 😀 The speaker mentions the underrepresentation of quantitative methods in evaluating public policies, despite their importance in modern approaches.
• 😀 Recent Nobel Prizes in economics have favored researchers who develop quantitative methodologies to address the needs of developing countries, including the Nobel-winning research by MLU.
• 😀 The study of history, philosophy, and cultural factors is necessary to enhance the understanding of economic and social systems, as argued by MLU and other modern researchers.

Q & A

What is the importance of studying English and German philosophers in the context of modern economic theories?

The study of English philosophers, especially those who contributed to utilitarianism like Bentham, and German philosophers is essential because their ideas form the foundation of two methodologies used today in the social sciences. These methodologies are integral to addressing the problems of developed and developing countries.

How do English and German philosophies influence the methodologies in social sciences?

The English philosophy, particularly utilitarianism, influenced quantitative methods, while German philosophy, including Marxism, focuses on qualitative approaches. Both methodologies are essential but often work in isolation, which affects how problems are approached in countries with differing needs.

Why is there a gap in the integration of quantitative and qualitative methodologies in Brazil's social sciences?

In Brazil, the dominance of German-inspired Marxist methodologies, especially in public health, leads to a lack of integration with quantitative approaches. This gap exists partly because there is limited exposure to methodologies like those used in economics, which successfully combine both approaches.

What is the role of economics in addressing problems in both developed and developing countries?

Economics, especially in areas like finance, plays a significant role in tackling problems in developed countries by using well-established quantitative methods. However, these approaches are not as effectively applied in addressing the complex issues of developing countries, as the integration of both qualitative and quantitative methods is often lacking.

What are the challenges Brazil faces in developing effective methodologies for social sciences?

Brazil faces challenges due to the lack of a unified approach that combines qualitative and quantitative methods. The Marxist influence in many academic areas limits the use of quantitative methodologies, which has hindered the development of comprehensive solutions to the country's social and economic issues.

How does the influence of Marxism shape Brazil's approach to public health?

In Brazil, the field of public health, which is otherwise quantitative and data-driven globally, has been influenced by Marxism and is instead called 'collective health.' This shift has resulted in a focus on social and political factors, reducing the emphasis on quantitative indicators commonly used in the global public health framework.

What does the speaker mean by 'countries develop separately' when referring to economic theories?

The speaker refers to how different countries, particularly Brazil, have developed their own methodologies and frameworks that are often disconnected from global best practices. In Brazil, there is a historical preference for Marxist theory, which has led to a lack of integration with mainstream economic theories such as those used in finance.

Why are modern developments in economics focused on quantitative methodologies?

Modern economics has increasingly focused on quantitative methodologies because they offer a more objective and measurable approach to solving complex problems, especially in developing countries. These methodologies are intended to provide more concrete data and outcomes to guide policy and decision-making.

What is the significance of the Nobel Prize in economics in relation to the discussion in the transcript?

The Nobel Prize in economics reflects the trend of recognizing researchers who develop quantitative methodologies aimed at improving conditions in developing countries. The speaker references the recent Nobel winner, who emphasized the need to integrate historical and philosophical approaches, particularly German philosophy, into these methodologies.

What specific challenge does Brazil face in relation to global academic practices in economics and public health?

Brazil faces the challenge of not fully integrating global practices in economics and public health. While the country excels in certain areas like finance, its academic institutions often remain disconnected from the quantitative methodologies widely used elsewhere. This leads to inefficiencies in addressing both local and global challenges.