Q&A: Studies
Studies
Question
Hello Rabbi,
I have a question that’s been bothering me for a while: how is it possible to form a position in the age of studies, and how can people exchange views like this?
I’ve noticed in a lot of conversations between people I study with that each person, in order to strengthen his position, uses “there are studies that show…” How am I, as an individual, supposed to form a position about who is right? And what is correct? After all, apparently every position has studies backing it, and the opposite as well, and I also don’t think it makes sense to read every single study individually.
I’d appreciate an answer.
Answer
There are cases where common sense can help you form a critical position. In other situations, don’t form a position. You don’t have to have a position on everything. On the other hand, there is no need to be impressed by every declaration about studies. In many cases, it’s nonsense.
Assuming you do want to form an opinion, I’ll put my “method” “on the table” (not really mine and not really a method). Ask those who claim that studies say such-and-such to give you a link to the studies—an actual link to the studies themselves in the scientific journal where they were published. If they don’t have a link, dismiss their opinion completely. If they do have a link, read the studies and form your opinion based on what is written there.
That way you gain twice over. First, you’ll get to form an opinion in the full sense of the term. It will be well-formed, because you read the original sources themselves, and you’ll also be doing it under your own steam, by grappling directly with the source. Second, you’ll have the opportunity to acquire the skills needed for scientific studies, like literacy in scientific English and familiarity with statistics. It’ll be hard at first, but after a year or two of this you’ll see the scientific light and start singing statistics and humming research methodologies in your sleep.
P.S. I’ll push back against what Rabbi Michi said, with all due respect, and recommend forgetting about “common sense” in any scientific field where you don’t have a deep background. It’s more likely that our prior assumptions, as laymen in a scientific field, will mislead us than light the way to an opinion that comes close to the truth.