Student Number: 2016-0335

Word count: 1572

Can there be knowledge that is independent of culture? Discuss with reference to

mathematics and one other area of knowledge.

Living in another country helped me realize the value of diversity when it comes to
people’s cultures. Being in a multicultural environment showed me how culture can be a
reflection of one’s identity and also the identity of a collective group of people. Intrinsic to
culture is the way that knowledge is produced and affirmed. The knowledge question calls upon
the knower to explore the relationship that exists between knowledge and culture. To be
independent of something means to be in a state of freedom, and outside of authority. Knowing
that knowledge is a branch of culture, the prescribed title prompts us to discover whether or not
knowledge can be free from the influence of culture.

Culture can include the characteristics and norms found in human societies that share
similar belief systems, traditions, practices, and knowledge.The blurred line classifying the
dependence of knowledge on culture will be analyzed through the areas of knowledge of
Mathematics and the Natural Sciences. When knowledge is pursued using objective approaches,
knowledge can be independent of culture. However, culture has an impact in the way knowledge
is pursued.

The language utilized in the AOK of mathematics is one that is objective, wherein the
ideas communicated have no attachment to cultural backgrounds. This ultimately makes
language in this AOK universal across all cultures. Axioms or postulates are mathematical
concepts regarded as truths in this area of knowledge. They are propositions that prove
mathematical statements, also known as theorems. A common example of an axiom would be,
“things that are equal to the same thing are equal to one another.” This axiom can be applied to
the expression, “if A=B=C, then A=C and C+A= C+B.”This axiom follows the propositional
logic that is essential in math. Axioms can help rectify the notion that mathematical concepts are
consistent between cultures. This is because mathematical language is made of systems that help
communicate ideas through methods that would be understood regardless of cultural background.

Since mathematical language is universal its expression is not subjected to race, gender,
class or a particular geography. In the example above, the knowledge of, “A=B=C” is a truth
that will be accepted by any culture. Mathematical statements are something that can be either
true or false for everyone. Mathematical language in the form of axioms are completely distinct
from natural language. Natural language is dependent upon culture, its formation is grounded on
cultural beliefs and practices. In contrast to this, axioms as a mathematical knowledge aims to
communicate abstract ideas in a consistent manner that is free from the subjectivity of culture.

Although Mathematics is considered as a universal language, how a group of people use

mathematical systems is dependent upon the culture that they belong to. Units of measurements
are incredibly important in the field of mathematics. Units can help people label quantified
values to length, mass, time, volume, temperature, etc. Most parts of the world use a
standardized form of measurements known as the metric system. An example of the metric
system can be in volume where the most common unit of volume is milliliters and liters. These
two units belong to the same system that simplifies large values into smaller units through
conversion. For example , 1000 m is equivalent to 1 km. Besides the metric system, the imperial
system is used as a unit of measurement only in 3 countries (United States, Liberia, and
Myanmar). The imperial system is less common to the rest of the world because of the more
difficult methods of conversion from unit to unit. For instance 36 inches is equal to 1 yard.
Despite the prevalence of the metric system in most countries and its more efficient system of
conversion, the United States stuck to using the imperial system as a standardized unit of
measurement because it is already deeply ingrained in American culture and economy. Through
this example, it is evident how mathematical knowledge can be produced differently in varying
cultures. Numerical measurements are presented differently across countries as a result of
cultural necessities. The United States has used this system ever since the British colonized
North America. The cultural impact of colonization has ultimately affected the way the
Americans measure values up to this day.

Mathematics is an area of knowledge reliant on systems that use axioms. Axioms are
regarded as irrefutable truths that serve as basis for further knowledge to be explored in
Mathematics. Despite the fact that Mathematics uses language that is universal, the knowledge in
this AOK can be framed and presented distinctly in different cultures.

The Natural Sciences uses objective approaches to present knowledge that is free from
cultural biases through the scientific method. An example of this can be seen through the theory
of N-rays, proposed by French physicist Prosper-René Blondlot. During the 18th century, many
European nations contributed significant knowledge in the field of science with the likes of
Faraday from the UK and Roetegen from Germany who discovered X-rays. N-rays were a
scientific idea hypothesized by French scientist Blondlot in 1903. Lee explains that the whole
notion of national pride towards this new scientific discovery by a French scientist made the
whole country of France supportive of this theory and regard his observations and conclusions as
true (2010, para 3). However, as time went by and more experts have repeated as part of the
scientific method, which requires scientific observations to be tested by and repeated. It was
revealed that the Blondlot hypothesis about N-rays were found to be illusory after multiple
attempts at falsifying this claim by the French scientist. The case of Blondolt and his discovery
of the refuted scientific knowledge, N-rays, showcase how The French community was quick to
accept Blondolt’s observations as a scientific truth because of their cultural affinity with the
scientist. However, this belief held by Blondlot and many French citizens was quickly negated
through the process of falsification in the scientific method. The Scientific method produces
knowledge that aims to present an objective truth. Before a claim is considered to be knowledge
in the Natural Science, this idea goes through a process of organized scrutiny. Scientific
knowledge is a consensus of experts coming from all over the globe who are able to spot cultural
influences in any work since they are outside that particular culture. This ultimately makes
knowledge independent from any cultural implication in the Natural Sciences.

Despite the presence of the scientific method in presenting objective truths, the beliefs
and values of a different culture may serve as a hindrance in the development of Scientific
knowledge. Stem cell treatment is a new form of technology that is seen as a breakthrough in
curing many diseases and ailments. To put it simply, stem cell therapy utilizes undifferentiated
stem cells to be harvested in another person’s body to promote the growth of healthy cells that
replace worn out cells that result in different illnesses. However in some parts of the world stem
cell research is illegal. Countries like Italy and Germany banned stem cell research because it
involves the destruction of an embryo in its early stage of development. Different countries
=prohibit the research on embryonic stem cells while some don’t because of the difference in
cultural beliefs. Some cultures may uphold the belief that human embryonic stem cells should be
protected and regarded as human life. The religious beliefs and/or practices of certain cultures
put forth the idea that pursuing research on stem cells is highly unethical. On the other hand,
some countries promote stem cell research for medicinal purposes. Although stem cells involve
the destruction of an embryo, some cultures may believe that this act is justified as stem cells can
cure many diseases. The pursuit of further knowledge is then bounded by cultural belief
systems. Culture can hinder knowledge when there is a dispute between values and information
development.

The scientific method ensures that knowledge is developed free from any cultural
affirmations and biases. Making knowledge in the natural sciences objective and universal.
However, at the same time the access that people have to particular knowledge is hindered by the
practices and beliefs people’s cultures have.

Knowledge is independent of culture when we pursue it on grounds that require us to

present universal truth that is consistent amongst different cultures. However, it is important to
note that the beliefs that we carry cannot be independent of culture. Therefore, the manner in
which knowledge is created can be dependent on culture. Mathematics and the Natural Sciences
explain how knowledge obtained from observations about the natural environment are
independent of culture. This is because the knowledge from these AOKs are a representation of
the natural systems that exist around us. On the other hand the AOKs of Math and the Natural
Sciences showcase how cultural necessities and beliefs depend on culture.Therefore, the
presentation of objective truths and knowledge from Mathematics and the Natural sciences is
altered to be more accurately understood by a particular culture. Culture acts as a factor that
mediates the relationship between individual and organizational knowledge. Throughout this
entire discussion, knowledge was perceived from the point of view of a collective rather than an
individual. A knower should not be limited to the culture that they belong to when pursuing or
discovering knowledge, but rather it should be culture that serves as a force that gets an
individual to uphold a belief that they eventually turn into knowledge.
SOURCE:

Chris Lee - Jul 14, 2010 1:15 am U. T. C. (2010, July 14). Confirmation bias in science:
How to avoid IT. Ars Technica. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from
https://arstechnica.com/science/2010/07/confirmation-bias-how-to-avoid-it/.