The classical myth of Ulysses versus Palamedes: an early metaphor for the qualitative/quantitative debate?

摘要

This essay examines the classical myth of the confrontation between Palamedes (pro-quantitative) and Ulysses (pro-qualitative). This para-mythical transposition is used as an interpretative metaphor for the methodological debate regarding the use of qualitative or quantitative paradigms of research in the fields of social sciences and education. Although the debate about paradigms has come to a halt over recent years, it may be appropriate to rekindle it now, with less rancour than before, in order to move towards a fertile dialogue without striving to reach any kind of consensus.