Mutual knowledge: what it is, characteristics, and functions

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 seems simple, has certain nuances depending on the area with which it is related.

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

Next we are going to talk about what can be understood as mutual knowledge and various definitions that have been proposed for this same term.

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What is mutual knowledge?

At first, 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 capacities that are shared by several people in a certain field, either the labor, academic, cultural, ethical... There are several conceptualizations of this same term and it can be understood in multiple ways depending on what field we do reference.

Mutual knowledge develops through shared experiences, events in people's lives that make them share knowledge and also perspectives, or at least resemble each other. Mutual knowledge is often what makes two individuals understand each other and, also, 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, establishing that this is built jointly 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. We can see this by taking as an example an international conference on medicine, in which there are two lecturers, one from the United States and one from Japan. Despite the fact that each one 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.

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Conceptual variations of mutual knowledge

Although we have already been suggesting it, the definition of mutual knowledge is highly variable depending on the perspective that each author or branch of knowledge grants it. Disciplines such as logic and epistemology conceive mutual knowledge as all 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 the 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 between the members of a certain community.

Mixing up a bit of the ideas that we have seen up to this point, it can be concluded that mutual knowledge is everything that a group of people can have in common, be it language, culture, religion, profession and other aspects. However you prefer to understand it, what can be highlighted from mutual knowledge is that allows to establish links and promote development both in the workplace and in the community.

From social ethics

From ethics, mutual knowledge 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 that people who are part of a society follow and share.

Based on this conceptualization, it can be said that it is mutual knowledge to respect traffic regulations, to respect people older people, do not wear a hat indoors, wear a mask when requested or have the mobile turned off during a conference. From this perspective, this knowledge is linked to values, coexistence and respect.

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From the work ethic

Mutual knowledge within the workplace is a very important element for the development of any organization, company or company. 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 cases most notorious and classic ones of interest for the development of mutual knowledge in the field of organizations. Harris took several ethical actions in order to favor the work community and avoid any interpersonal conflict that arose that impaired productivity.

Among Harris's measures was to establish penalties or fines if any of the workers told off-color jokes or engaged in religious or political discussions. This made the fact that the tolerate colleagues and address them with respect, not talking with them about controversial or sensitive topics and focusing only on carrying out work activities of efficient way and, if you do start a conversation, do it on superficial topics or emotionally not disturbing.

However, we should not think that mutual knowledge within the professional environment is solely 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 labor relations.

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

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Its importance for human coexistence

The fact that a group of people share the same information about social laws and codes of conduct encourages 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 only limited to the rules, but is also conformed by all customs and beliefs shared by the community. Within this knowledge is information such as the notions of heritage and territory, concepts that make up and strengthen the identity of the communities.

By this we mean that the mutual knowledge that favors coexistence within a community is made up of the historical and cultural heritage of the country or nation. The normal thing is that the members of a certain culture share the national dates and the holidays, in addition to also having a common language or particular accent, with a proverb, vocabulary and terminology own. Also part of this mutual knowledge is the set of typical foods of the region, gestures, clothing, historical buildings that fulfill a cultural function, museums ...