Intellectual Knowledge: Characteristics, Definition of Aristotle and Examples

He intellectual knowledge is that associated with the understanding of abstract things, concepts, theories, definitions and interpretations of them. It is all that type of knowledge that can not be represented by a stimulus of the senses, but must be evoked by the human being and by his mind.

On the human scale, this knowledge can be considered secondary when compared to sensory knowledge. The latter reflects learned attitudes, breathing, blinking or issues that the human mind evokes without the human being being aware of it.

Intellectual knowledge differs from information because the latter is tangible and represents physical objects, the context does not affect it, it can be easily shared and the processes to which it is subject change its representation.

Instead, knowledge represents the intangible, what is in the mind, changes depending on the context and can not be easily replicated, it is within the mind of each person.

characteristics

It's endless

Intellectual knowledge can not end. Unlike other resources that are affected by the amount available, knowledge is infinite. In fact, the more knowledge is spread, the more knowledge is generated. When it is not finished, sharing it makes it multiply without getting lost.

It is beneficial to share

The only way to share knowledge is by exchanging ideas with other people. In turn, these become new stores of knowledge they obtain. The person who shares the information never loses it; therefore, it is beneficial to share it.

It is portable and easy to compress

Knowledge can be summarized so that it can be digested more easily to whom it is shared. It can be divided into small units to impart it in parts and in that way it is easier to handle it.

It is transferable

It can move from one place to another, and if the correct means are used, it can be shared with many people at the same time (for example, a talk in an auditorium).

It's mobile

Tends to change and sneak into conversations. By being inside the mind, knowledge involuntarily guides the facts and words that people make and say.

During a conversation, knowledge usually leaks into the ideas of the person who owns it. Technical reproduction and the transmission of knowledge often change their essence; therefore, it varies in definition.

Other general characteristics

All knowledge obtained ends up being part of the knowledge of a human being, of his intellect. Commonly, knowledge changes shape over time as new information is obtained that enriches or modifies them.

The ability to reason is what gives the human being the fact of being able to acquire knowledge. This is obtained through experiences, experiences and generates thoughts. This is why the fact of being able to think is the main reason why experiences can be interpreted as knowledge by a human being.

Intellectual knowledge according to Aristotle

Aristotle's theory of knowledge revolves around an affirmation:"There is no kind of knowledge that has not been first in the senses". Without the senses, intellectual knowledge would not be possible. According to the philosopher, experiences are the basis of every source of cognitive knowledge.

Similarly, Aristotle believes that all types of knowledge must be classified according to the purpose that complies.

These concepts proposed by the Greek philosopher define the way in which a human being can see different ideas. Mathematics is considered by Aristotle as theoretical knowledge, the creation of tools such as productive knowledge and social work is considered as practical intellectual knowledge.

Classifications of intellectual knowledge according to Aristotle

Theoretical knowledge

It is a way of thinking corresponding to theoretical activities; that is to say, it is the fact of thinking and contemplating ideas that already exist in the mind. For Aristotle, this is the main virtue of human activity. It is the fact of organizing ideas in a coherent way and having a pure understanding of them.

According to the Aristotelian theory, a teacher has the responsibility to impart knowledge to his students so that they reflect on it. This activity of reflection is the branch of intellectual knowledge that the philosopher defined as theoretical.

Productive knowledge

This type of knowledge refers to all that thought that leads to the creation of a tangible good. Aristotle related this branch of knowledge with the thoughts that pass through the minds of artisans and artists.

The Greek defined the creation of a work as something that goes beyond the mechanical and that is reflected in thought; A figure created by an artist depends on the ability of the artist and, according to Aristotle, this ability is defined by a productive thought.

Practical knowledge

The practical knowledge of Aristotle represents an association with political and ethical life; it is based on obtaining wisdom and knowledge.

According to this theory, practical knowledge is the ability of a person to convert theory into practice; that is, the human capacity to transform an idea into an action, such as the implementation of a school or university lesson in daily life.

Examples of intellectual knowledge

- The understanding of a concept is considered as intellectual knowledge. The interpretation given to it and the fact that it is affected by the social context in which the person who interprets it live makes it an intangible and mobile concept.

- The way in which a person defines a concept is intellectual knowledge for that person.

- When a human being has two opposite concepts, one versus the other, it is usually compared to one another to define them in the mind of a person. This comparison of concepts is called judgment, and these judgments are considered intellectual knowledge.

- The purest representation of intellectual knowledge is the very concept that each person generates when faced with a new experience or an unknown experience. The process of reasoning that occurs in the mind to assimilate this idea subsequently gives it an intangible meaning, which becomes intellectual knowledge.

References

1. Aristotle on Knowledge, Mark Smith, 1999. Taken from infed.org
2. Logic and Theory of Knowledge, Albert Stockl, (n.d.). Taken from nd.edu
3. Experimental Knowledge versus Intellectual Knowledge, Russell Ransom, (n.d.). Taken from freebooksummary.com
4. Characteristics of Knowledge, (n.d.). Taken from skyrme.com
5. Key concepts in Information and Knowledge Management, (n.d.). Taken from t.ee.ee