Edwin Nichols’ The Philosophical Aspects of Cultural ...

Edwin Nichols'

The Philosophical Aspects of Cultural Difference

(Adapted)

Ethnic Group/Worldview

Value System

Method of Knowing

European Euro/American

MemberObject

The highest value lies in the object or acquisition of the object. Selfworth is often determined by the number, size and monetary value of the object

Counting and Measuring

Knowledge is most often gained by measuring what can be ascertained by the senses or "proved" by mathematical formulae.

African African American Hispanic

MemberMember

Imagery and Pattern Recognition

The highest value lies in interpersonal relationships. Selfworth is often determined by the quality of relationships and how the member is viewed by members of the same and other groups

Knowledge is most often gained by feeling or intuiting what lies behind appearances and superimposing this information onto what can be ascertained by the senses

Asian Asian/American Native American

MemberGroup

Transcendence

The highest value lies in identity with the group and consideration of what benefits the group as a whole. Selfworth is often associated with acknowledgement of oneness with nature and the Earth.

Knowledge is most often gained by direct transcendental experience by entering meditative or altered states of consciousness. Such knowledge is then applied to people and situations in the mundane world.

Mediterranean Middle Eastern

MemberScripture

Code

The highest value lies in adherence to sacred text and scripture. Selfworth is often determined adherence to divine revelation and commandment.

Knowledge is often acquired from spiritual teachings passed from generation to generation. Generally, there is no dichotomy between scientific and spiritual knowledge.

Logic

EitherOr BothAnd Relative

Prescribed

Figure 1. Pioneered by Dr. Edwin Nichols, The Philosophical Aspects of Cultural Difference shows how one's cultural conditioning is likely to affect the way all events encountered by the individual are interpreted and acted upon.

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