Knowledge Definition

Knowledge is a tool whose incorporation, both theoretically and practically, enables each person greater independence, decision-making capacity, assessment, criticism, and empowerment, thus accompanied by greater confidence, firmness, leadership, and self-esteem. constantly exercised in different social fields, towards professional development, creation and innovation, ways of relating, as well as to defend their rights, question and express their thoughts. Any new experience expands the known limits, and is even capable of causing a rethinking of certain positions from deepening in them.

scientific knowledge

This type of knowledge, validated by carefully established methods, allows the different fields of knowledge to grow, advance, validate or refute theories, update them, approach the object of study from different angles and, with the advancement of time, in one way at a time. more precise.

What would Medicine be, for example, without its theoretical body endorsement, without its scientific endorsement? Physicians must obtain a certain amount of learning throughout their university and postgraduate studies, receiving the appropriate qualifying titles, in order to be authorized to practice as professionals in said branch.

Their interventions and readings about reality are not those of common sense, but those that they possess thanks to their studies, to the acquisition of an accumulated legacy of knowledge. Likewise, previous knowledge constitutes a basis for undertaking new investigations and achieving the advancement of science.

vulgar or ordinary knowledge

Although highly underestimated, the understanding obtained from daily experience, that which is part of what we know as “common sense”, is vital to function in life in an assertive way and to know the least about most subjects.

It is used to start conversations, make choices and form ideas about a topic. Also to anticipate the reactions of others, if we do or say certain things; to read about the feelings or emotions of others; have an overview of the reality in which we live.

After a certain time, some knowledge of science passes to the knowledge of common sense, although the latter is usually outdated -and simplified- due to that distance that separates new discoveries from their arrival in the general community.

Knowledge and power (Foucault)

What we don’t know enslaves us, while knowing opens the door to different possibilities. Those who know are more likely to exercise power, over themselves or others.

However, it is not that simple, since those who exercise power select the knowledge that is disclosed. Thus, the dialectic exposed by Michel Foucault accounts for the complexity of the relationships between these two axes, knowledge and power.

Sometimes knowledge is not enough or we are not able to access it, because we are pulled -by mechanisms of social control- in a plot or a sociocultural fabric of power relations, which precede us and leave us in certain places.

know yourself

Knowing what we want, when and how, helps us organize vital projects and establish an orderly sequence of steps to achieve them.

Prioritizing objectives, understanding our rhythm, difficulties and potential, is essential for our personal and social life.

Perhaps the idea of ​​knowing ourselves sounds simple, but there is much in us of which we know nothing at all, since it remains repressed in our unconscious and, from there, it conditions us.

Sometimes, we don’t know why we always choose a certain type of partner, friends, social circle, certain jobs or studies, which are not the best for us. We fall over and over again in the same places.

Through psychological therapy, especially Psychoanalysis, we can get to know ourselves a little more thoroughly and thus overcome certain limitations, which constitute an obstacle to our goals.

social knowledge

Friendship, love and social relationships in general imply continuous interactions, stimuli and responses, reactions in various ways. And in this complicated “game” knowing the other allows us to get closer, connect, understand and support.

Taking into account the interests and ways of being of others allows us to modulate our words and actions, if we wish, or, on the other hand, it can also help us distance ourselves from certain people or situations, as well as maintain a cordial, but limited treatment.

However, it is impossible to know others completely -we barely get to know ourselves enough-, since they are others and, as different from me, they have their own meanings and representations, a complex and personal internal world. Singularity always escapes being pigeonholed in certain axes.

Know the dangers of social media

Currently, much of reality is captured by us through social networks. We spend a large part of the day on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc., talking with others or consuming content, which can be entertaining or even inform us about certain issues.

Being vigilant about certain care regarding these networks is important for our physical, economic, and emotional security.

In these virtual spaces not everyone is who they say they are, you can easily lie about your identity (name, age, where you are from, what you are like). In addition, content such as images and audio can circulate at the speed of light throughout the world, exposing privacy.

Internet scams are also commonplace and we must be careful with the data we provide.

Lastly, an idea of ​​perfection is usually transmitted, thanks to the “filters” or Photoshop and the choice of what is shown, which can harm the receivers, raising their levels of demand to impossible standards -the Ego Ideal can remain prisoner of these false and unattainable images.

Images: Trepalio, Amelia

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