What is the Nature of Knowledge

[Overdog]

The concept of Knowledge has to be one of the most complex notions I have ever wrestled with. There seem to be multiple kinds of knowledge, and multiple ways of knowing. What are the differences between facts, information, and knowledge? How does information become Knowledge? What is the difference between believing something, and knowing something?

These are just a few questions I would like to discuss.

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by Overdog

The concept of Knowledge has to be one of the most complex notions I have ever wrestled with. There seem to be multiple kinds of knowledge, and multiple ways of knowing. What are the differences between facts, information, and knowledge? How does information become Knowledge? What is the difference between believing something, and knowing something?

These are just a few questions I would like to discuss.

I'm not sure how to answer this, the best I can think of is that belief is something you feel is true with out any reason to back it up and knowledge is something you have direct experience of or evidence you have a good reason to think is true. an example is..... some people believe snakes are unnatural, slimy, deadly, creatures. Others have enough knowledge about snakes to know they are not slimy, most are not dangerous and they are completely natural. Does this make sense for what you are talking about?

[Overdog]

Originally Posted by Moontanman

Does this make sense for what you are talking about?

Yes, it does. I suppose I should have said at the outset I don't think there is any such thing as a "right" answer to these questions.

So are you saying belief becomes knowledge through experience?

[Moontanman]

Originally Posted by Overdog

Yes, it does. I suppose I should have said at the outset I don't think there is any such thing as a "right" answer to these questions.

So are you saying belief becomes knowledge through experience?

Yeah, sort of, I believe being eaten alive by a shark would be a very horrible experience even though I have no direct knowledge of it. To me belief is some you assume is true even though you have no reason to know or really even have any evidence to suspect it's true. Possibly there should be a third category between the two extremes?

[Overdog]

Originally Posted by Moontanman

Yeah, sort of, I believe being eaten alive by a shark would be a very horrible experience even though I have no direct knowledge of it. To me belief is some you assume is true even though you have no reason to know or really even have any evidence to suspect it's true. Possibly there should be a third category between the two extremes?

Ok, I think I see your perspective. So would you say the difference between Knowledge and belief is:

Belief is what you accept on faith, and Knowledge is rationally justifiable belief?

Maybe the third category would be Fantasy?

[freeztar]

I assert that Knowledge is a collection of memories obtained through experience. This seems compatible with what has been discussed thus far.

[Overdog]

I don't disagree with your assertion, but would like to explore this...

So let's map this out. (my wife has just suggested another category, Hope.)

So, we have:

<-- Fantasy - Hope - Belief - Knowledge -->

(Just my best guess as to how they would be positioned in the continuum.)

To me, I would say the word Knowledge doesn't belong in that continuum.

[Overdog]

Originally Posted by freeztar

I assert that Knowledge is a collection of memories obtained through experience. This seems compatible with what has been discussed thus far.

One idea I have heard is that information becomes knowledge when if "fits" into a conceptual framework.

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Overdog

To me, I would say the word Knowledge doesn't belong in that continuum.

I agree.

Though those would work, with others, in a group of the functions of the brain.
The continuum idea is interesting though and I hope we explore that more.

When does knowledge become wisdom?

[modest]

Originally Posted by Overdog

What is the difference between believing something, and knowing something?

I think a lot of Kant's transcendental idealism in his critique of pure reason is right in line with this thread and there's an appropriate quote in the preface of the second addition:

Originally Posted by Kant

I had therefore to remove knowledge, in order to make room for belief

which I think is all too often true.