Science will change along with those practicing it
Horace Judson has written a 3-part series in MIT's Technology Review entitled The Great Chinese Experiment. It's an assessment of how successfully the practice of Western science is being adopted by the Chinese. Much of the piece centers on the limitations imposed by the traditions of Confucianism, which, among other things, mandates unquestioning respect for elders. This can hinder the free skepticism necessary for the advancement of science, according to Judson.
It is clear that a hierarchical mindset that forbids questioning those older than you is in serious opposition to the foundations of scientific inquiry. And China will have to deal with this if it is to reap the full benefits of scientific research. And yet, I found myself wincing at a few places. The article was written in a subtley arrogant style, essentially posing the question, "Can the Chinese really handle REAL science, given their limiting cultural background?" My God, it's scientific imperialism. (And Judson seems totally oblivious of his bias).
(By the way, no one asked this about the entrance of the Japanese into the scientific establishment, despite a cultural mindset that is far closer to Confucianism than to Western philosophy! Interesting, that).
A more realistic question is something like, "How will science change as it comes to be practiced by the Chinese?" After all, there are quite a few of them, and science can realistically be defined as the union of the activities of all scientists.
I feel optimistic about this. A common Eastern assessment of the West is that it is comparatively dualistic, leaning toward seeing things in black-and-white rather than shades of gray. (Some might even say a stubborn refusal to admit the existence of the gray). Given the complex challenges of the 21st century, I think the Asian mindset has many things to offer.
Combining the best aspects of Chinese/Indian/other Asian philosophies with the best aspects of Western skepticism and scientific experimentation, we might just discover a worldview that helps everyone.
It is clear that a hierarchical mindset that forbids questioning those older than you is in serious opposition to the foundations of scientific inquiry. And China will have to deal with this if it is to reap the full benefits of scientific research. And yet, I found myself wincing at a few places. The article was written in a subtley arrogant style, essentially posing the question, "Can the Chinese really handle REAL science, given their limiting cultural background?" My God, it's scientific imperialism. (And Judson seems totally oblivious of his bias).
(By the way, no one asked this about the entrance of the Japanese into the scientific establishment, despite a cultural mindset that is far closer to Confucianism than to Western philosophy! Interesting, that).
A more realistic question is something like, "How will science change as it comes to be practiced by the Chinese?" After all, there are quite a few of them, and science can realistically be defined as the union of the activities of all scientists.
I feel optimistic about this. A common Eastern assessment of the West is that it is comparatively dualistic, leaning toward seeing things in black-and-white rather than shades of gray. (Some might even say a stubborn refusal to admit the existence of the gray). Given the complex challenges of the 21st century, I think the Asian mindset has many things to offer.
Combining the best aspects of Chinese/Indian/other Asian philosophies with the best aspects of Western skepticism and scientific experimentation, we might just discover a worldview that helps everyone.
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