Different Quote by Gregory Bateson
“Number is different from quantity. This difference is basic for any sort of theorizing in behavioral science, any sort of imagining of what goes on between organisms or inside organisms as part of their processes of thought.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Steps to an Ecology of Mind, 1972
Quantity counts numbers; number is the abstract concept behind them, essential for scientific theory.
In simple terms: Numbers differ from quantities.
Key Takeaway
Distinguish abstract from concrete.
Themes
science
philosophy
theory
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- research
- data analysis
- education
- model building
Key Concepts
abstraction
measurement
Questions to Reflect On
- How does confusing number with quantity affect research?
- Can you think of examples where this distinction matters?
A Different Perspective
Abstract concepts can be hard to communicate clearly.
