Concept of Knowledge

Knowledge is justified understanding of something—an internal “I know” that is backed by reasons/evidence and can be used to explain, decide, or act.

A practical way to remember it:

Knowledge = Information + Meaning + Evidence + Ability to Use

Example (quick)

• Information: “The school starts at 7:30.”

• Knowledge: “The school starts at 7:30 because the timetable and daily bell confirm it, so I arrive by 7:20.”

1) Knowledge vs Information vs Belief (very important distinction)

✅ Information

A fact-like statement you receive.

• Example: “Vitamin C is good for immunity.”

✅ Belief

Something you think is true (may be right or wrong).

• Example: “If I take Vitamin C daily, I will never fall sick.”

✅ Knowledge

A belief that is true and supported by good reasons/evidence.

• Example: “Vitamin C supports immune function, but it doesn’t guarantee you won’t get sick—research shows it helps in specific ways.”

2) Key features of knowledge

A) It has truth/value

If it’s false, it can’t be knowledge—only misinformation.

• Example: “The Sun rises in the west” is not knowledge.

B) It needs justification

Knowledge is not a lucky guess.

• Example: If you guessed the answer in an exam and it happened to be correct, it’s not strong knowledge—just luck.

C) It enables action

Real knowledge changes what you can do.

• Example: Knowing how to swim lets you survive in water; reading about swimming doesn’t.

3) Types of knowledge (with everyday examples)

1) Declarative / Propositional (Know-that)

Facts, concepts, statements.

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

• Example: “Democracy means government by the people.”

2) Procedural (Know-how)

Skills, methods, processes.

• Example: Knowing how to ride a bicycle.

• Example: Knowing how to write a good introduction in a research paper.

3) Experiential (Know-by-experience)

Learning through direct experience.

• Example: You truly know what “stage fear” feels like only after speaking in front of an audience.

4) Tacit knowledge (Unspoken know-how)

You know it, but it’s hard to explain fully in words.

• Example: A teacher “feels” when a class is losing attention and changes tone, pace, or activity—without consciously calculating it.

5) Conceptual knowledge (Know-why / relationships)

Understanding the logic behind facts.

• Example: Not just that “plants need sunlight,” but why sunlight matters for photosynthesis.

4) Knowledge as a “structure” (how it grows)

Knowledge is not a pile of facts—it’s a network.

Example: “Communication skills”

• Isolated fact: “Eye contact is important.”

• Connected knowledge: “Eye contact signals attention and confidence, but too much can feel threatening—so adjust based on culture, context, and relationship.”

That “connection” is what makes it knowledge, not just a sentence.

5) Quick real-life examples (to make it concrete)

Example 1: Weather

• Information: “It may rain today.”

• Knowledge: “It may rain because humidity is high, clouds are dense, and the forecast shows rainfall—so I carry an umbrella.”

Example 2: Cooking

• Information: “High flame cooks faster.”

• Knowledge: “High flame can burn outside and keep inside raw—so I use medium flame for thick food.”

Example 3: Studying

• Information: “Revision is needed.”

• Knowledge: “Spaced revision improves retention, so I revise on day 1, 3, 7, 14.”

Knowledge is a verified and usable understanding of facts, concepts, or skills, supported by evidence and experience.