Do the liberal arts make better scientific researchers?

Abstract

This narrative review paper focuses on the relationship between the liberal arts and scientific inquiry. The liberal arts are disciplines focused on forming skills and knowledge that allow individuals to think logically, communicate effectively and maintain critical thinking of their environment. Throughout history, the liberal arts have proven to be efficient disciplines for the formation of knowledge, but how does the development of the liberal arts influence the development of scientific researchers and the dissemination of scientific information? The theoretical contributions of studies on research variables were considered for the planning of a research with a qualitative approach methodology, by means of a descriptive type of research, using the technique of bibliographic review. It is based on a perspective of the liberal arts centered on the interpretations of the Middle Ages, where these were considered in mythological stories that personified each of these arts as divine helpers with the function of developing man's knowledge. Likewise, the characteristics that focus on the formation of a scientific researcher to contrast the variables are presented. Among the most relevant results, it is established that the liberal arts and scientific research, despite appearing to be discordant systems, are two disciplines that complement each other adequately in the search for and development of knowledge and human development. The liberal arts positively influence the formation of academic researchers and the advancement of scientific research.