Knowledge just for the sake of knowledge...

[Dann]

It's still the same as with intelligence. Any knowledge gained that can not be used for profitable means is still useless knowledge.

And of course it's worth collecting knowledge "just for the sake of it". It may not be useful to you, but it might very well be useful to somebody else down the road. It could even be useful to you at some point in the future, who knows!

Not "just for the sake of it", but precisely because it could become useful in the future. Take no chances.

If you have knowledge about something before the other fellow knows you have a distinct advantage already.

I am not advocating shying away from knowledge just because it doesn't serve your ends at the moment. On the contrary I am all for selectively accumulating knowledge for future use. Knowledge can be a most potent weapon.

And "Boo! Hiss!" to Bozo Erectus for confusing us re knowledge vs intelligence.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

It's still the same as with intelligence. Any knowledge gained that can not be used for profitable means is still useless knowledge.

Not "just for the sake of it", but precisely because it could become useful in the future. Take no chances.

If you have knowledge about something before the other fellow knows you have a distinct advantage already.

I am not advocating shying away from knowledge just because it doesn't serve your ends at the moment. On the contrary I am all for selectively accumulating knowledge for future use. Knowledge can be a most potent weapon.

Dann, Ive been trying to think of who you remind me of, and I just got it:

And "Boo! Hiss!" to Bozo Erectus for confusing us re knowledge vs intelligence.

I accept the booing, poor choice of words on my part.

 

[Atticus]

As Zappa used to say 'information is not knowledge'.

Yes, but if knowing things is the purppose, I don't understand why the colour of my shirt is less important than say knowing who was 15th president of USA. I'm also puzzeled why true beliefs are preferred. Think about history: most of the time a good story is better than true story. It doesn't matter to me so much whether some thing actually happened or not.

For myself, I find the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake to be one of the few worthwile activities I've found in life so far.

Same here, but it's personal thing.

I wouldn't find the whole question important unless there were numerous people who have obsession to know more just to be better pesons. And on the other hand how this glorification of knowledge is used against it by saying that all the people who wants to know things are just bunch of snobs.

 

[HypnosTene]

Yes, but if knowing things is the purppose, I don't understand why the colour of my shirt is less important than say knowing who was 15th president of USA. I'm also puzzeled why true beliefs are preferred. Think about history: most of the time a good story is better than true story. It doesn't matter to me so much whether some thing actually happened or not.

I guess you are right. It IS an entirely personal thing.
And as for me, the difference between 'truth' and 'untruth' is important (even if I admit that often ultimately impossible to ascertain). I fact, as a historian, I take a rather radical approach: everything past WW2 is not history, but politics. And politics is not really worth knowing all that much. And yes, I know it's silly ; )

Same here, but it's personal thing.

I wouldn't find the whole question important unless there were numerous people who have obsession to know more just to be better pesons. And on the other hand how this glorification of knowledge is used against it by saying that all the people who wants to know things are just bunch of snobs.

I would consider myself a tad snobbish But yeah, I share your views on that.

 

[Irish Caesar]

It IS an entirely personal thing.

That's basically what I have to say on the issue.

If you value the pursuit of knowledge, it doesn't matter to anyone else whether it's worth something. Live your life how you want to, and if that means accumulating knowledge, by all means, go for it. If it's not worth anything to you, that's fine, too. Not my business.

 

[Azash]

...Is it worthwhile? Does intelligence have an intrinsic value, or does it have to yield tangible economic results for a person in order for it to have value, like a big house and two SUVs in the driveway? How about a person who's IQ is off the scale, but for whatever reason, is perfectly content living in a shack and selling cheap handmade trinkets to tourists. Is his or her great intelligence a waste?

If he/she can find ways to harness his/her intellect, then it is not a waste.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

If you need education to get a good job, why are so many rich people dropouts?

 

[Azash]

Because a good job is not the way to riches. The way to riches is daring entrepreneurship or a cunning eye for business opportunity.

 

[WillJ]

Person A gets intense joy from making new discoveries in nuclear physics, from expressing his emotions through poetry, and from pondering various philosophical questions.

Person B gets intense joy from polishing his Ferrari, from keeping up with the latest fashion trends, and from having sex with random women.

If these guys are equally happy/content, are either of them better than the other? If their happiness levels are the same as far as any neurological device can determine (same dopamine levels, etc.), are either of the types of happiness more profound and worthy than the other?

And what about Person C, who gets intense joy from being high on heroin all the time?

 

[Elrohir]

Person A gets intense joy from making new discoveries in nuclear physics, from expressing his emotions through poetry, and from pondering various philosophical questions.

Person B gets intense joy from polishing his Ferrari, from keeping up with the latest fashion trends, and from having sex with random women.

If these guys are equally happy/content, are either of them better than the other? If their happiness levels are the same as far as any neurological device can determine (same dopamine levels, etc.), are either of the types of happiness more profound and worthy than the other?

And what about Person C, who gets intense joy from being high on heroin all the time?

Interesting question. I would say that they are all perfectly equal and good people if the only consideration you have is happiness in life. Which just goes to show how terrible it is to have such a poor sole criteria. I think in your scenario, person A is probably the "best", because what he does has the possibility of substantially bettering society. Person B is rather mediocre, and Person C hurts society and those around him.

If your life only find it's meaning in making yourself happy, it's perfectly legitimate to live it all doped up. If you find meaning in serving God and mankind, then that isn't the path for you.

 

[Xanikk999]

Knowledge for the sake of knowledge just sounds like something an elitist would say.

Applied knowledge is better i would say.

 

[Irish Caesar]

Person A gets intense joy from making new discoveries in nuclear physics, from expressing his emotions through poetry, and from pondering various philosophical questions.

Person B gets intense joy from polishing his Ferrari, from keeping up with the latest fashion trends, and from having sex with random women.

If these guys are equally happy/content, are either of them better than the other? If their happiness levels are the same as far as any neurological device can determine (same dopamine levels, etc.), are either of the types of happiness more profound and worthy than the other?

And what about Person C, who gets intense joy from being high on heroin all the time?

"A" is immeasurably better than "B" and "C." Hell, he's probably better than the rest of the world...

 

[Dann]

Dann, Ive been trying to think of who you remind me of, and I just got it:

Aauugghh!!! I've been exposed!

 

[Azash]

Knowledge for the sake of knowledge just sounds like something an elitist would say.

Applied knowledge is better i would say.

What about knowledge for the sake of applied knowledge?

 

[Shaihulud]

I like collecting knowledge, i doubt that 1/1000 of what i learnt will ever be mentioned, or used. Its good practise nevertheless to keep your gray matter churning and eyes peeled, prevents dementia in old age.