Key Concepts of Knowledge

1. Meaning of Knowledge and Knowing

Knowledge refers to the understanding or awareness of something, typically
acquired through experience, education, or reasoning. It can be thought of
as the information we gather and understand about the world around us.
Knowing, on the other hand, is the state of possessing knowledge or
being aware of facts, truths, or principles.

Knowledge: Under-
standing through
experience, educa-
tion, or reasoning
Knowing: Possess-
ing knowledge or
awareness of facts

The diagram above shows that Knowledge is the broader concept, and
Knowing refers to the act of having or being aware of knowledge.

2. Kinds of Knowledge
There are different kinds of knowledge, each distinct in nature:

• Propositional Knowledge: Knowledge of facts, such as ”The Earth

orbits the Sun.”

• Procedural Knowledge: Knowledge of how to perform tasks, e.g.,

”How to ride a bike.”

• Experiential Knowledge: Knowledge gained through personal ex-

perience, such as knowing what it feels like to swim.
 Propositional
Knowledge: Knowing
that something is true

Procedural Knowl-
edge: Knowing how
to do something

Experiential Knowl-
edge: Knowing
through experience

Tacit Knowledge:
Personal and un-
spoken knowledge

Explicit Knowledge:
Documented and
shared knowledge

The types of knowledge are hierarchical and interrelated, with **Propo-

sitional Knowledge** as the foundation for others.

3. Sources of Knowledge
Knowledge can come from several different sources:

• Perception: Knowledge gained through the five senses.

• Reasoning: Knowledge derived through logical deduction.
• Memory: Knowledge based on past experiences or recollections.
• Intuition: Knowledge gained instinctively or without the need for
reasoning.
• Testimony: Knowledge acquired from other people’s experiences, state-
ments, or writings.
• Revelation: Knowledge believed to be imparted through divine or
spiritual means.

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 Perception: Knowl-
edge from senses

Reasoning: Log-
ical thinking
and deduction

Memory: Recalling
past experiences

Intuition: Deep
instinctive un-
derstanding

Testimony: Knowl-
edge gained
from others

Revelation: Divine or
spiritual knowledge

The sources of knowledge interact with each other, and they often build
upon one another. For instance, reasoning might be informed by both per-
ception and memory.

4. Methods of Acquiring Knowledge

There are several methods through which knowledge can be acquired:

• Empirical Method: Knowledge gained through observation and ex-

perimentation.
• Logical Method: Knowledge obtained through reasoning and logical
deduction.
• Introspection: Knowledge gained by self-reflection or inward exami-
nation.

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 • Authority: Knowledge obtained from trusted experts or reliable sources.

• Experimentation: Knowledge gained by testing hypotheses in con-

trolled settings.

Empirical Method:
Knowledge through
observation

Logical Method:
Using reasoning
and deduction

Introspection:
Knowledge through
self-reflection

Authority:
Knowledge from
trusted experts

Experimentation:
Testing hypotheses in
controlled conditions

These methods are crucial in acquiring knowledge. While **Empiri-

cal Method** and **Experimentation** provide concrete data, **Logical
Method** and **Introspection** provide reasoning and self-understanding.

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Comparative Overview
Here’s a comparative overview of the relationship between **Kinds of Knowl-
edge** and their **Sources** and **Methods**:

Kinds of Knowledge Sources of Knowledge

Propositional: Knowing
that something is true Perception: Knowl-
edge from senses

Procedural: Knowing
how to do something Reasoning: Log-
ical thinking

Experiential: Knowledge
through experience

This diagram offers a clearer comparative overview of the relationship

between the types, sources, and methods of acquiring knowledge.

1 Information vs Knowledge

1.1 Information
Information refers to raw data or facts. It is unprocessed and lacks context,
meaning, or understanding until it is interpreted.

Example: ”The temperature in New York is 25°C.”

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1.2 Knowledge
Knowledge is the understanding and contextualization of information. It is
formed when information is processed and connected to other relevant facts.

Example: Understanding that 25°C in New York in June is generally considered pleasant weathe

1.3 Diagram: Information vs Knowledge

Information

Processed, Contextualized

Knowledge

2 Belief vs Truth

2.1 Belief
Belief refers to an acceptance that something is true, often without empirical
proof or objective verification. It is subjective and influenced by individual
experiences and perceptions.

Example: ”I believe that hard work always leads to success.”

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2.2 Truth
Truth refers to facts or reality that exist independently of personal beliefs.
It is objective and universally applicable.

Example: ”Water boils at 100°C at sea level.”

2.3 Diagram: Belief vs Truth

May or may not match
Belief Truth

3 Reasoning vs Analysis

3.1 Reasoning
Reasoning is the process of deriving conclusions from premises or facts. It
involves logical thinking and drawing conclusions based on relationships be-
tween information.

Example: If all humans are mortal (Premise 1), and Socrates is human (Premise 2), then Socrat

3.2 Analysis
Analysis involves breaking down complex problems or data into smaller com-
ponents to understand their structure, meaning, or significance.

Example: Analyzing a company’s quarterly report by examining revenue, expenses, and profit m

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3.3 Diagram: Reasoning vs Analysis

Reasoning

Conclusions from premises vs. Breakdown of components

Analysis