Understanding the Nature of Science from Different Cultural Perspectives

Abstract

The underpinning belief of this book is that constructing the images of science is cultural practice. The particular context described in this book is the Chinese culture. On the one hand, Chinese culture has influenced the understanding of Western science to be different from the way it is understood in the West. Some Chinese scholars have noticed such differences. For example, Li (2004) criticises that Chinese people lack the spirit of science such as rationalism and empiricism, as it is not supported by Chinese traditional culture. Further, he argues that the lack of the spirit of science in turn has led to the overabundance of superstition and pseudoscience in modern Chinese society. He also argues that rationalism and empiricism have become part of the collective unconsciousness of Western people. More or less, his opinions were influenced by Eurocentric views on the development of science. Researchers in the field of cultural studies in science education may challenge his view of the spirit of science being part of the ‘collective unconsciousness’ of Western people. For example, Aikenhead (1996) argues that science is a subculture of Western culture and being with Western cultural background does not spontaneously guarantee a smooth border crossing from one’s home culture into the culture of school science. Although Li’s critique of Chinese people’s understanding of science and his own understanding of the Western culture may themselves be controversial from a multicultural perspective, the point is that this example shows recognition of differences in the understanding of science across cultures and demonstrates an effort to find reasons from a cultural dimension.