Knowledge Understanding vs. Wisdom

Knowledge Understanding vs. Wisdom

What is the difference between knowledge, understanding and wisdom? I would submit to you that most of us believe they are the same thing, but they’re not — at least, we shouldn’t think of them that way. Yes, just like fact and Truth, the dictionary definitions do say they can mean the same thing, but there are fundamental differences between knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Understanding these differences is crucial to expanding our understanding of our world, as well as to the development of wisdom. Let’s see if I can convince you to accept my argument. I’ll try to keep this as short as possible. All I ask is that you stay with me to the end. I would suggest that knowledge, understanding and wisdom actually represent sequential steps toward the acquisition of the latter. In other words, they are the steps we go through in the process of gaining wisdom, with each step being built upon the previous one(s). Let’s start by looking at the definition of knowledge.

Definition of KNOWLEDGE* 2a (1) : the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association (2) : acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique b (1) : the fact or condition of being aware of something (2) : the range of one’s information or understanding knowledge> d : the fact or condition of having information or of being learned knowledge> So, step one is knowledge: being aware of something. The key here is to understand that being aware of it does not mean you understand it. Most of us can use a calculator, but that doesn’t mean we understand the mathematical principles underlying the work the calculator does for us. Nor does it mean we know how the calculator performs those principles. It just means we know what it is and how to push the right buttons in the right order to get the result we need. The same applies to computers and smart phones: knowing how to use them does not mean we understand the information they provide or how they provide it. Now, let’s look at the definition of understanding:

Definition of UNDERSTANDING* 1: a mental grasp : comprehension 2a : the power of comprehending; especially : the capacity to apprehend general relations of particulars. Notice how this concept is based on the first, knowledge. This means, if you understand mathematics, you understand the calculations your calculator performs for you. If you understand electronics and engineering, then you understand how the calculator performs those calculations. In one case, it means you understand the principles necessary to work the equations without the calculator. In the other, it means you understand the principles necessary to build the calculator. This brings us to our last definition, that of wisdom:

Definition of WISDOM* 1a : accumulated philosophic or scientific learning : knowledge b : ability to discern inner qualities and relationships : insight c : good sense : judgment.

Wisdom is built upon the foundation of knowledge and understanding, but it is much more than the sum of these two concepts. It involves something intangible, something which cannot be gained through knowledge and understanding alone. It is the proper application of knowledge and understanding, and that proper application involves sound judgment in discerning Truth. This means that, not only do you understand the calculations the calculator performs for you, and how to make the calculator, but also when you should and shouldn’t use the calculator. Wisdom allows us to determine that, just because we can do something, that doesn’t mean we should. But, if we decide we are going to do a certain thing, wisdom tells us the best way to do it and which ways should never be tried. Now, you will notice that I included philosophy as part of my definition for wisdom. This is because philosophy deals with Truth. What a person believes to be Truth will be influenced by their judgment. It is at this point that our ability to see our reflection in the morality mirror as clearly as possible enters into the picture. If we are prone to self-deception and we do not see our reflection clearly, then our judgment will be impaired and we will hold things as Truth that may not necessarily deserve to be called Truth. In turn, this often leads us to the mistaken belief that we understand what is in the best interest for others when we do not. In fact, we may be working to their detriment instead. So, I submit that knowledge is just the awareness that something exists. Understanding is knowing how it work or how to use it. And wisdom is the proper application of knowledge and understanding. The ultimate bottom line is this.

Everyone in this world wants to acquire the best knowledge and use it to acquire wealth and control----. BUT Wisdom makes the ethical person to think how to use this knowledge for the benefit of others and not to use it to destroy or subdue mankind

Om Namah Shivay