Mutual knowledge: what it is, its characteristics, and functions

Let's see what is mutual knowledge and what are its implications in society and culture.

Mutual knowledge can be understood as the set of information that two or more people know, regardless of whether they know that the other knows it. This idea, which at first glance seems simple, has certain nuances depending on the field to which it relates.

This knowledge can refer to norms, beliefs, cultural aspects, work or any other type that has a social dimension, and can become very important in a society, weaving the fabric of coexistence.

In the following we will talk about what can be understood as mutual knowledge and several definitions that have been proposed for this same term.

• Related article, "What is Social Psychology?"

What is mutual knowledge?

At first glance, we would understand mutual knowledge as precisely that, the set of knowledge that is shared by two or more people.. We can expand the term, describing it as a series of elements, knowledge and skills that are shared by several people in a given field, whether it is work, academic, cultural, ethical... There are several conceptualizations of this same term and it can be understood in multiple ways depending on the field we are referring to.

Mutual knowledge is developed through shared experiences, events in people's lives that make them share knowledge and perspectives, or at least similar ones. Mutual knowledge is often what makes two individuals understand and tolerate each other, highlighting what they have in common but also accepting their differences.

A more academic definition of what is understood to be mutual knowledge is that proposed by Daniel J. and Diane M. Hintz. These authors approach the subject from a specifically linguistic perspective, stating that the main sources of mutual knowledge are language and culture, stating that this is built up through language and culture.They state that this is jointly constructed through shared perceptual experience and linguistic interaction.

However, there are voices that differ from this definition. Some authors promote the idea that mutual knowledge does not necessarily require sharing the same mother tongue or the same cultural traits.. This can be seen in the example of an international medical conference, where there are two speakers, one American and one Japanese. Although each speaks a different language and comes from a different country with very different customs, they have a common knowledge of medicine. Both share skills that allow them to communicate, understand and respect each other.

Conceptual variations of mutual knowledge

Although we have already suggested it, the definition of mutual knowledge is very variable depending on the perspective that each author or branch of knowledge gives to it. Disciplines such as logic and epistemology conceive mutual knowledge as any data or fact that is known by several people, although this does not necessarily imply that a certain person knows that others also know that information.

As we have introduced before, from a linguistic perspective, mutual knowledge is understood as knowledge that is constructed through linguistic interactions and shared perceptions.. The sources of information for this shared knowledge are the beliefs, assumptions and conversations that take place among the members of a given community.

Mixing a little of the ideas that we have seen up to this point, we can conclude that mutual knowledge is everything that a group of people may have in common, be it language, culture, religion, profession and so on.. Whichever way one prefers to understand it, what can be emphasized about mutual knowledge is that it makes it possible to establish links and foster development both in the work environment and in the community.

Social ethics

From ethics, mutual understanding is defined as the set of norms or customs that are responsible for directing human behavior within a community.. Thus, in this sense, it refers to the social parameters followed and shared by people who are part of a society.

Based on this conceptualization, it can be said that it is mutual knowledge to respect traffic rules, to respect the elderly, not to wear a hat indoors, to wear a mask when asked to do so or to have the cell phone turned off during a conference. From this perspective, this knowledge is linked to values, coexistence and respect.

From the work ethic

Mutual knowledge within the work environment is a very important element for the development of any organization, company or enterprise.. Here where we can talk about a peculiar case. Paul Harris (1868-1947), who was the founder of Rotary International, is probably one of the most notorious and classic cases of interest in the development of mutual understanding in the field of organizations. Harris took several ethical actions in order to favor the working community and to avoid any interpersonal conflicts that might be detrimental to productivity.

Among Harris' measures was to establish sanctions or fines if any of the workers told off-color jokes or engaged in religious or political discussions. This made it a matter of common knowledge for workers to tolerate their colleagues and to address them. tolerate their colleagues and to address them with respect toWe should not talk to them about controversial or sensitive topics and focus only on performing work activities efficiently and, if we do engage in conversation, we should do so on superficial or emotionally undisturbing topics.

However, we should not think that mutual knowledge within the professional environment is only focused on ethical standards or parameters. This shared knowledge is also related to the strengthening of those things that workers have in common, with the intention of reinforcing working relationships.

It is known that people, by recognizing the elements they have in common with others in work and non-work environments, become more willing to collaborate with others, become more willing to collaborate in group activities to achieve group well-being.. In addition, collective tasks are carried out more smoothly and with less possibility of tensions or conflicts in the course of them.

Its importance for human coexistence

The fact that a group of people share the same information about laws and social codes of conduct promotes coexistence. For this reason we can say that mutual knowledge is one of the most solid foundations of societies, closely linked to ethics.

It should be said that this is not limited only to norms, but is also shaped by all the customs and beliefs shared by the society. all the customs and beliefs shared by the community.. Within this knowledge is information such as the notions of heritage and territory, concepts that shape and strengthen the identity of the communities.

By this we mean that the mutual knowledge that favors coexistence within a community is composed of the historical and cultural heritage of the country or nation. It is normal for the members of a given culture to share their national holidays and national days, as well as to have a common language or particular accent, with their own sayings, vocabulary and terminology. Also part of this mutual knowledge is the set of typical foods of the region, the gestures, the clothing, the historical buildings that fulfill a cultural function, the museums?