the meaning of knowledge Options

[innovation]

At the beginnings of our lives, we accumulate knowledge of the world and of ourselves mostly through pure exploration...Knowledge usually exists at its purest form at this age, uncontaminated by ambition academics, or prestige. Relishing in the simple joy of new discoveries is a young child's primary intention. However, as we get older, new motivation is introduced into our lives; we feel the need to gain knowledge in order to impress others, fulfill expectations, succeed financially or yield to the temptations of power and prestige.....

Society has often portrayed prestigious education as the key to knowledge and an impressive report card as validation of intellect. However, <we have forgotten> the effectiveness of pure passion and the pursuit of one's own intellectual interests, not to fulfill expectations of to make that 'A,' but to experience the pure joy of knowledge.

i want all of you to be honest. do you think that society has killed the meaning of 'knowledge?' i'd really like to discuss this topic in consideration of the above quote. do you agree or disagree with the person? i'm looking for unique opinions and a broad spectrum of ideas. if you have any open-ended questions to pose in relation to the topic, please post them as well. ehm.. not sure how many people will respond to this thread, but honestly, you have no idea how much i'll value your input.

[Pulchritude]

well i think part of it is true.. in some point society has gave knowledge a bad name.. i dont understand the second paragrapgh only the first but im sure that its partly true. o yea u look like a girl i know!

[innovation]

^ please expand on your opinion as much as possible.

[becomingAWARE]

I think that the definition sheoul depend on every person. Some people think knowledge is purpely based on street smarts, while others feel that knowledge is depicted on the grades one get in school. I feel that society does play a large role in what knowledge is, though. Think about it: society tells us what sodas to buy, what shoes to crave and what digital camera we want for christmas. In what way wouldn't society try to tell us is intelligent or not? SOCIETY [colleges] tell us where we will go in life and if we can make it or not. It's kind of sad.

[crazeegirl411]

It depends on the subject of knowledge. Knowledge could mean anything, such as a knowledge for airplanes, for the musical instrument one plays, etc. That kind of knowledge is for passion. It is what you chose, (assuming that parents don't play a role in this factor) therefore it suits you well.

Knowledge on things learned in school does get killed in a way, but it also makes a lot of people strive for that A. It makes some people grow up, and it seperates the people that slack, and the people that try. Anyone that studies would get a higher grade than one that doesn't (even though there are exceptions). Higher grades mean a higher chance for a better college and a better job. That really connects with the amount of effort you have put in before, therefore you get more of a chance to get to do something you want to do; unless money is more important.

Hard work pays off with the ablity to have passion for knowledge, BUT society does kill some of the passion is some rights. There are some people striving harder for you, therefore there is competing going on. That could be something good or bad, deciding from your point of view and the situation. Sometimes it depends.

[innovation]

do you believe that knowledge is now "tainited" by other factors, such as financial ambition, etc.?

[crazeegirl411]

Do you mean tainted? Yes. Financial ambition, money, higher status...things like that, which has a lot to do with society.

[racoons > you]

again, it depends on what you consider knowledge.

if you mean in terms of pure facts, then ambition opens up the motivation to seek out the means to achieve your aims

however, if you mean what i consider real knowledge, as in discovery of yourself and other people rateher than a complete memorization of the capitals of middle eastern countries, then yes, i believe ambiton to be a hindereance

the surest way to find yourself is to stop looking. continual research numbs the senses and prevents real things getting in

i mean does anyone else here know what sound nothing makes?

[crazeegirl411]

i mean does anyone else here know what sound nothing makes?

Sometimes, I need to calm myself of what society has created of me. I do things I like to do to rid some of the "needless ambition" I possess.

It makes you think too hard; is that what you mean? I feel that you lose and gain some knowledge as you go on in life. Knowledge that you lose is the fact that there should be passion of knowledge and things more important that status and money. What we have now is that even you know, there isn't a way to change it around.

[innovation]

again, it depends on what you consider knowledge.

what do you consider knowledge? this is discussion, not a debate. there is no right or wrong, and you don't have to be so technical. i just want to know what you think.

if you mean in terms of pure facts, then ambition opens up the motivation to seek out the means to achieve your aims

however, if you mean what i consider real knowledge, as in discovery of yourself and other people rateher than a complete memorization of the capitals of middle eastern countries, then yes, i believe ambiton to be a hindereance

factual knowledge (acquired through education) usually provides financial and academic success, while the other type of pure knowledge provides spiritual success. which type of knowledge do you feel is more important to one's life?

the surest way to find yourself is to stop looking. continual research numbs the senses and prevents real things getting in

that's an interesting point; could you expand on that?

i mean does anyone else here know what sound nothing makes?

it makes the sound of silence

another question: what do you think is the purpose of knowledge?
pose any new, relevant open-ended questions in large, bold letters. man, i love online socratic seminars.

[nevernothere]

Society has pretty much corrupted the joy of knowledge. Now, I learn things for that 'A'.. I learn so I don't look like a dumbass.. I learn for the prestige of knowing stuff not many people know. Etc.

[innovation]

Society has pretty much corrupted the joy of knowledge.

do you think that we're still capable of enjoying knowledge in its purest form?

[innovation]

oh come on, you guys. doesn't anyone else dare to deviate from the usual "do u think yr ugly" or "does he like me" topics? i need this input so that i can brainstorm for an upcoming interview.. it's going to be insanely intense.

[actionrobot_go]

I believe that society has truly killed the natural pursuit of knowledge that was once so common. Nowadays it's all about obtaining that 4.0 and getting into a prestigious college. I hate grades, they don't tell you how intelligent you are only how responsible you are in terms of turning your work in and test taking abilities.

Knowledge is too broad of a category

[rockstermonkey]

The purpose of knowledge is to answer the simple question of "why?". Why do things work the way they do. People's curiousity drives them to question things, and find things out. Knowledge is innocent, but is tainted by things like financial ambition, as ppl. have stated before. Knowledge was at once, pure and simple, focusing on answering the question "why", but lately society has forced us to "gain" knowledge specificcally for financial ambition. People's own greed has caused them to absorb all the knowledge they can, not to answer the question "why", but to instead have outrageous sums of money.

[Spirited Away]

another question: what do you think is the purpose of knowledge?
pose any new, relevant open-ended questions in large, bold letters. man, i love online socratic seminars.

In my opinion, the purpose of knowledge is first for survival, and second, for the advancement of survival.

For example, just as humans need knowledge of hunting to live off of animals, animals need knowledge of hunting to survive. Then after its survival is ensured, the next step is to use knowledge, if the species is capable of it, towards a better kind of survival, i.e humans domesticating animals instead of hunting wild animals.

In terms of the arts and music, knowledge is still a sort of "betterment" for survival as it can improve our intelligence and even health. Humans enjoy such entertainments, and thus, they can grasp a higher joy or relief from stress.

In terms of science and math, knowledge is power. What no other earthly species can understand, it is advantageous for humans in that such knowledge keep us on top of the food chain as well as save us from diseases or even natural castastrophes.

Knowledge can be simple or complex, but its purpose is clear.



.... yea... this is so broad.... i can't seem to keep up with my thoughts.