I am interested in disinterested knowledge

[coberst]

I am interested in disinterested knowledge

Disinterested knowledge is the energy bunny. It generates the energy for exploration and for overcoming some of the inhibitions consciousness places on the unconscious.

Disinterested knowledge is an intrinsic value. Disinterested knowledge is not a means but an end. It is knowledge I seek because I desire to know it. I mean the term 'disinterested knowledge' as similar to 'pure research', as compared to 'applied research'. Pure research seeks to know truth unconnected to any specific application.

Studying disinterested knowledge is like taking off a month every year to visit a strange new land. Curiosity is reinvigorated and new meaning is created.

Knowledge is like a jigsaw puzzle. We have created many puzzles in coping with reality and when we receive a new piece of knowledge that does not fit our present puzzles we forgetaboutit (Italian word for ‘forget about it’). However, if through disinterested knowledge we have created new puzzles within which the new knowledge might fit we might find a whole new meaning in life.

Our mind is constantly working for us and when we do not give it a worthwhile project, i.e. a new puzzle, it will just waste away in boredom or worry.

Instrumental knowledge is interested knowledge. Instrumental knowledge is the life blood of a value system that places the maximizing of production and consumption as “Number One”.

Disinterested knowledge is the un-knowledge, it is the non-instrumental knowledge. Disinterested knowledge is an alien and clumsy word in a society that places maximum value on production and consumption. Disinterested knowledge is not a catalyst of production and consumption but it is the catalyst of creativity. Disinterested knowledge is the mixing bowl of creativity.

Creativity is the synthesis of the known into a model of the unknown. The value of the unknown is yet to be determined. Creativity requires a comfort with the unknown.

Disinterested knowledge is a means to defragment your brain.

Have you ever studied disinterested knowledge?

Do you think it is important to love to learn?

[Buffy]

So you only "love to learn" if you like "disinterested knowledge?"

What's yer point?

I actually think the connotations of "disinterested" are fairly negative in English, so if anything this phraseology simply *enhances* the negative, geeky, un-cool stereotype associated with seeking knowledge.

I know that your overarching goal is to seek a more enlightened humanity, but I see in many of these posts an approach that ultimately is more effective in driving people *away* from seeking knowledge because its made to seem so snippily superior and exclusive.

Its cool to be smart,
Buffy

[coberst]

What’s on your mind? This is about ROI, man!

If you do not have a question on your mind that is important to you, you are a loser! We are all born with one of the principles of capitalism coded into our genes, i.e. use your assets to obtain maximum leverage.

When I have willed that my mind help me to find an answer to some matter that I really care about I have placed on my ‘mental bulldozer’ an operator seeking that answer. My M/B (mental bulldozer) is waiting in the shed for my assignment. If I have not given it an assignment the operator of that M/B is any scatter brained monkey that comes along.

Your mental ROI (Return on Investment) is 1000 if you invest time and effort in creating questions that you are curious of and care about. If you are ‘curious and caring’ about a matter your M/B will be working 24/7 to help in the quest for a solution. Our brain is a marvelous instrument that can function in parallel mode on many problems simultaneously.

Your M/B depends upon the knowledge in your data bank to organize its efforts. The bigger and more diverse your data bank the greater scope the mind has for organizing a solution.


If you are ‘curious and caring’ about a matter your M/B will be working 24/7 to help in the quest for a solution.

Your M/B depends upon the knowledge in your data bank to organize its efforts. The bigger and more diverse your data bank the greater scope the mind has for organizing a solution.

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by coberst

... This is about ROI, man!

If you do not have a question on your mind that is important to you, you are a loser!

...and there you have it: not really a *false* statement, just, uh, low on ROI if you're trying to get more people to think...

Seize the immediate meaning in a situation and evaluate it,
Buffy

[Buffy]

For your amusement...here's some disinterested knowledge...

YouTube - WTF? Co-host doesn't know if the earth...

Fighting intentional ignorance,
Buffy

[Pyrotex]

Disinterested knowledge?

Knowledge that you are NOT interested in?
Knowledge that you don't care about?
Knowledge that doesn't inspire or motivate or move?

What's the point? Why would I spend 2 ergs seeking knowledge of, say, the back side of the Moon if I didn't give a damn? If I wasn't interested?

Let's say that I have NO inkling of any interest in ancient Greek history. I really have NO interest. And someone comes up and says, "did you know that the first scientist we have record of was Thales from ancient Greece?" Of what value is this knowledge to me? Nothing! I probably won't even remember it for 2 minutes.

Is THIS the disinterested knowledge you speak of?

If so, then how is this knowledge superior to the knowledge I seek and find out of a passionate interest?

I think someone is "spitting into the wind."

[coberst]

In general I read history, science, and light philosophy (I generally do not try to read original stuff but read from a secondary source).

For example I have been trying to understand the meaning of 'understand' for a long time and I think I now have an answer. I will stop the effort but I constantly am prepared to take it up again should something reignite my doubt as to my answer or that I find something that will add to my understanding.

I have been working at understanding "Philosophy in the Flesh" for months and I now feel that I understand the fundamentals of the theory but I will continue to work on 'rounding out' my understanding. I think that this theory defined in this book will become the first paradigm for cognitive science. It is a revolutionary theory that I recommend at every opportunity.

I also have read a bit of Dewey. I like Dewey especially his “Habits and Will” which focuses on the importance of habit in our character development and in our development of an intellectual life. I got started in the matter of understanding while studying empathy. Empathy is a process of imagination constructing something that will help a person to understand another person.

For example one might try to construct in imagination something about the life of a terrorist so as to understand why that person could do such a thing. The caring is associated with the desire to understand because in understanding ones enemy can best combat that enemy.

The terrorist need not be the object of caring. The caring is associated with combating the terrorist. I care enough about fighting terrorism that I will make the effort of empathy.
I do not mean caring to be necessarily or even occasionally associated with caring for the well being of some one. I use the word care to mean that I care about understanding this domain of knowledge.

I am a great fan of CT (Critical Thinking) and the effort to introduce this subject into our schools and colleges. CT is the fundamental requirement for self-actuated learning, I think.

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by coberst

I am interested in disinterested knowledge

I mean the term 'disinterested knowledge' as similar to 'pure research', as compared to 'applied research'. Pure research seeks to know truth unconnected to any specific application. ....

Hi Coberst. If your disinterest interest is not rhetorical, click here. Come play at my house for a change.

PS Love the new Avatar! :