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Topic 1: Can there be knowledge that is independent of culture? - Coggle…

- - - - Definition: facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject
      - Mathematics
        
        Knowledge of facts and concepts
        
        Symbols (+,-,/,x)
        
        Rules of operation
        
        Definition of concepts
        
        Theorems concerning numbers and figures
        
        Conjecture & Proof
      - Natural Sciences
        
        Buildings blocks of foundation
        
        Hypothesis (a suggested explanation for an event, which can be tested)
        
        Scientific theory ( a generally accepted, thoroughly tested and confirmed explanation for a set of observations or phenomena)
      - What does it mean by knowledge?
    - - Definition: not connected with another or with each other; separate
        
        Can culture be of no influence towards knowledge? / Can knowledge be consistent through every culture?
      - Assumptions
        
        Culture can affect knowledge
        
        Knowledge is a different entity to culture
    - - Definition: the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society
      - Assumptions
        
        Culture exists in every part of human and society
- - - - Natural Science
        
        the laws of nature (e.g., gravity, thermodynamics) are often viewed as universally valid, suggesting that knowledge in natural sciences can exist independently of cultural contexts. However, the way these laws are discovered, interpreted, and applied can still be culturally influenced.
      - Mathematics
        
        Some might argue that mathematical truths (e.g., 2+2=4) are independent of cultural influence because they hold true regardless of where or how they are discovered. This suggests that certain knowledge in mathematics can be independent of culture.
  - - - Mathematics
        
        Rejecting
        
        However, the way mathematical concepts are developed, taught, and represented can be influenced by culture. For instance, different cultures have contributed to the development of mathematical notation, such as the Arabic numerals we use today. While the underlying truths may be independent of culture, the methods of expressing and learning these truths can vary.
        
        Accepting
        
        Mathematics is often seen as a field where certain truths are universally accepted, regardless of cultural background. For instance, mathematical concepts like the Pythagorean theorem or the value of π (pi) are consistent across different societies and historical periods. These mathematical truths are discovered rather than invented, suggesting that they exist independently of any particular cultural context.
      - Natural Science
        
        Accepting
        
        The natural sciences seek to uncover the laws that govern the natural world, such as the laws of gravity, thermodynamics, or the principles of evolution. These laws are generally seen as universally true, regardless of cultural context. For example, the law of gravity applies to all objects on Earth, no matter the cultural background of the observer. This suggests that scientific knowledge, particularly the fundamental laws of nature, is independent of culture.
        
        Rejecting
        
        However, the process of scientific discovery and the interpretation of scientific data can be influenced by cultural factors. Different cultures might prioritize different scientific inquiries based on their societal needs, values, or beliefs. Additionally, the way scientific knowledge is applied—such as in technology, medicine, or environmental practices—can be heavily influenced by cultural context.
  - - - Assumption: Knowledge is dependent on language, and since language is deeply rooted in culture, knowledge cannot be independent of culture.
        
        ACCEPTING
        
        Symbols and formulas used in mathematics and science are often seen as a "universal language" that transcends cultural differences. If there are differences, these are usually syntax and not semantic.
        
        REJECTING
        
        Symbols and formulas can be represented differently in different cultures
        
        MATH
        
        Western mathematics typically uses letters from the Latin alphabet (e.g., x, y, z), but some cultures use different alphabets. For instance, Russian mathematicians may use letters from the Cyrillic alphabet in certain contexts, and in ancient Chinese mathematics, symbols were used for unknown quantities long before the adoption of algebraic notation from the West.
        
        SCIENCE
        
        Oxygen: In French, it's called oxygène; in German, Sauerstoff; in Russian, кислород (kislorod); and in Chinese, 氧 (yǎng).
        
        Hydrogen: In French, it's hydrogène; in German, Wasserstoff; in Russian, водород (vodorod); and in Chinese, 氢 (qīng).
        
        In the metric system (SI), units like meters, kilograms, and seconds are standardized. However, the US, Myanmar, and Liberia still primarily use the imperial system, where distance is measured in feet, weight in pounds, and volume in gallons. Even within the metric system, differences in terminology exist: for example, litre is spelled liter in American English.
  - - - Assumption: Some knowledge exists independently of cultural influence and is universally accessible.
        
        SUPPORTING
        
        MATH AND SCIENCE
        
        derived from objective observations and logical reasoning that apply universally
        
        discovered, not invented
        
        results in mathematical truths like the Pythagorean Theorem and Scientific laws like Newton’s Laws of Motion
        
        REJECTING
        
        Ancient civilizations developed different mathematical systems (e.g., Egyptian, Babylonian, or Mayan), and scientific paradigms are often influenced by the cultural context in which they emerge, such as the differences between Western and Eastern approaches to medicine.