Epistemology : ‘Understanding how we think’.
An example of 'different way's of thinking' was clearly indicated in a survey carried out by a leading Razor blade
manufacturer. They wanted to look into the frequency with which men and women
brought their product. Strangely, they found that in comparison, men replaced
razorblades far more often than women.
Further research revealed why. If a
woman gave herself a ‘nick’ while using a razor – she tended to think it was
because of her poor technique, so using the same blade, she would continue more
carefully. When a male managed to nick his skin, he blamed the razor ; it was
obviously blunt ! – so brought a new one.
We readily acknowledge these differences in ‘ways of thinking’ between male and female ; however they
are minimal when compared to the differences in thought process between that of
Asian and Western peoples. It is fair comment that few
Western Investigative interviewers consider the difference in epistemology
between races when going about their work.
One
of the main aims of the C C i i T T seminar is to change that outlook !
I like to trace the ‘Beginnings
of Difference’ in East/West epistemology back to around 500 b.c. the era of
influential philosophers Aristotle whose Greek ideology remains the basis of
Western Epistemology, and his Asian counterpart Confucius, of whom around
3 billion people today can trace a cultural background to.
5th Century
b.c. and Democratic rule was the form of Greek
governance.
The pursuit of knowledge and public debate regardless of social
standing were integral parts of the lifestyle. The
great poet
of the time, Homer stated that ‘Man is judged as much by his ability to
orate
as by his ability as a
warrior.’
Pastimes included competing for
individual honor at Olympic
Games.
Sending children to school to learn the ways
of the world was something all parents strived to do. An epistemology of INDEPENDANCE ensued.
At the same time in China under Confucian rule, Harmony, togetherness of family and not questioning superiors were seen as attributes to strive for. Confrontation or competing
for individual glory was frowned upon, and thus an epistemology of INTER-DEPENDANCE was established, which still remains today.
With ‘globalization’ those tendencies may be eroding slightly, but it
still is the basis of what leads to the main difference in Epistemology or
outlook between our cultures today i.e. Independence
v Inter-dependence.
Western parents ask their children what they want to do, to eat, wear
etc. An Asian child is
told what they will do or wear, as the parent is more knowledgeable, and so
logically they feel their decision is best/accepted.
In the multi-cultural societies in which we live today, it is become even more vital to have some understanding of both ; especially for those in enforcement fields.
