Knowledge vs Understanding
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Knowledge and understanding are two distinct concepts with several differences. Knowledge refers to information or awareness gained through experience or education, whereas understanding refers to knowing or realizing the intended meaning or cause of something, also referred to as interpretation or view of a particular thing.
Key Takeaways
- Knowledge is the information or awareness gained through experience or education
- Understanding is knowing or realizing the intended meaning or cause of something
- Knowledge and understanding are closely related, but each is incomplete without the other
What is Knowledge?
Knowledge can be defined as the information or awareness gained through experience or education. It goes beyond the depths of understanding, allowing a person to develop their faculties. Hence, one can state that knowledge is greater than understanding. We make casual use of the word knowledge in daily conversation. Facts, such as the timing of your favorite TV show or the names of 20th-century US Presidents, can be easily categorized as knowledge but are different from understanding, as they are not open to arguments.
What is Understanding?
Understanding can be defined as knowing or realizing the intended meaning or cause of something. It can also be referred to as the interpretation or view of a particular thing. An example would be reading a poem and attempting to understand what the poet is trying to say. We unravel the hidden meanings through deep understanding. This highlights that understanding something refers to an interpretation. Understanding is open for arguments and probe or testing, unlike knowledge, which is fact-based and can be presented as statements that are not open to further questioning.
What’s the Difference Between Knowledge and Understanding?
Knowledge refers to information or awareness gained through experience or education, whereas understanding refers to knowing or realizing the intended meaning or cause of something. Knowledge is greater than understanding, and both are closely interrelated. Both understanding and knowledge are essential, and one is incomplete without the other. If a student understands the concept explained by their teacher but has gained no knowledge, they get nowhere. Similarly, knowledge (facts) without understanding are merely examples of good memory.
