When is knowledge knowledge?

In the recent seminar, we mooted our interpretations of the word knowledge and we had an opportunity to identify when and how what we know becomes that 'thing'.

The idea of intention was mentioned; whether this is clear to the receiver, whether it is our role to be mindful or controling of this reception, and whether intention being explicit in the giving is fundamental to the knowledge itself as well as its meaning.

Wisdom was also introduced to the conversation. My interpretation of this has included ideas on whether we think our knowledge is exclusive until we choose to share it, whether we think our knowledge is better than that of others, and whether we can/should be selective in who or what we offer our knowledge to. Lastly, perhaps it is the wisdom of the receiver which filters what they need from the information offered.

The possibility that sharing of knowledge is a transaction seemed to be the bulletin within the conversation which more people either engaged with or found most provocative. Transaction was introduced in comparison to transmission, which made me wonder whether every interaction (even for the few seconds it takes to say it or do it) is transmission (knowledge will only ever be transmission), but it is the intention of the giver and perhaps the wisdom of the receiver which makes the transaction of knowledge either occur or not.

I am forever intrigued by the world of assumption. We don't know what we don't know yet. We forget when it was that we did learn something. We don't always anticipate what the other person needs or prefers. Perhaps, in this regard, we should acknowledge that knowledge will always be a term for the receiver to define.

Happy Saturday! x