Questions regarding the nature of knowledge arise in the human mind in a very erratic manner, but when they do arise, they tend to be some of the most complex and intriguing questions that are posed to the human mind. Questions like What is Knowledge? What is the best way to acquire knowledge? What is the purpose of knowledge? are some examples.
A few days back, I had a conversation regarding the nature of knowledge with an acquaintance who has been very active in the National Quizzing scene. He has won some major quizzes in the past. Thus I thought it would be a good idea to question him regarding the purpose of trying to gain more knowledge.
His answer was almost instantaneous, and quite predictable. He told me that most of the people who try to gain knowledge either do it out of passion, in the form of a hobby or they do it for for clearing an exam. I nodded my head slightly and then told him that I disagreed with him.
Then I presented him with my point of view. I told him that what he said was also correct to some extent but that I did not believe that the purpose of gaining knowledge should be limited to a hobby or clearing an exam. I told him that Knowledge, of all sorts and of all things, in its true form, helps us to understand concepts and relationships between everything in the world. Thus indirectly, knowledge helps us to truly comprehend what is going on all around us and how that may impact us or other people. Thus, in a way, knowledge helps us to predict things.
Why would any of this be of importance? The reason is simple. All knowledge has the capacity to lead to some sort of benefit to the person who has acquired it. Knowledge not only helps a person to predict future occurrences, but it also helps us to manipulate our own surroundings and situations to our own benefit. Thus, the true purpose lies in using Knowledge to gain a better comprehension of things so that a person can then use that comprehension to his benefit.
A few days back, I had a conversation regarding the nature of knowledge with an acquaintance who has been very active in the National Quizzing scene. He has won some major quizzes in the past. Thus I thought it would be a good idea to question him regarding the purpose of trying to gain more knowledge.
His answer was almost instantaneous, and quite predictable. He told me that most of the people who try to gain knowledge either do it out of passion, in the form of a hobby or they do it for for clearing an exam. I nodded my head slightly and then told him that I disagreed with him.
Then I presented him with my point of view. I told him that what he said was also correct to some extent but that I did not believe that the purpose of gaining knowledge should be limited to a hobby or clearing an exam. I told him that Knowledge, of all sorts and of all things, in its true form, helps us to understand concepts and relationships between everything in the world. Thus indirectly, knowledge helps us to truly comprehend what is going on all around us and how that may impact us or other people. Thus, in a way, knowledge helps us to predict things.
Why would any of this be of importance? The reason is simple. All knowledge has the capacity to lead to some sort of benefit to the person who has acquired it. Knowledge not only helps a person to predict future occurrences, but it also helps us to manipulate our own surroundings and situations to our own benefit. Thus, the true purpose lies in using Knowledge to gain a better comprehension of things so that a person can then use that comprehension to his benefit.
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