Chapter 3 disuses why culture matters. It posits that theoretical innovation is very much dependent on the metaphysical component of theoretical hard core. Incommensurable metaphysical components constitute incommensurable social theories. Culture, defined in terms of shared background knowledge, offers a ready and important source for theoretical innovation because it shapes the metaphysical component through shaping the mind of the knowledge producer who shares the way of living with other members of her community. Since a theorist lives in a particular cultural community, any social theory tends to be local in the very beginning. It may gain certain degrees of universality during the course of its development, but it will retain its cultural birthmark throughout. Moreover, while it is absolutely necessary to criticize cultural parochialism and exceptionalism, it is also important to realize that a theory can achieve at best "bounded universality" and universal application is a mere utopian dream.