How much do you veil your intentions? Find out some of the key understandings to communicating effectively below with this philosophical engineering design point about learning another tool for your language skills. Learn the differences between individual and mutual knowledge to recognize common wavelengths you have with the person you are speaking with.

Language as a Window into Human Nature

Philosophical Engineering Design Point:

Understanding differences between individual knowledge (person A knows x and person B knows x) and mutual knowledge (person A knows that person B knows x and vice versa) can be important when trying to find common wavelengths with someone when communicating with them. Knowing that person A knows something about swimming doesn’t always imply person B knowing something about swimming. When you realize what Steven Pinker discusses as mutual knowledge where person A knows that person B knows something about swimming, the communication could change drastically. (e.g. in video from the  movie When Harry Met Sally) Can you recognize the differences in your own communication?