Why Knowledge is More Beneficial Than Education

Knowledge and education; are they not one in the same? Many will say yes; I on the other hand say no. Lets reference to dictionary.com in order to establish the definition of the two words. Education is defined as: the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgement, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life. Knowledge is defined as: acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition: knowledge of many things. Just by reading over the two definitions it is clear that knowledge goes beyond education. This would then explain as to why so many educated people seem so unknowledgeable about the “real” world.

Education can be misleading. Education can make you believe that you are vastly intelligent and intellectual compared to those who have less education than yourself. How is this so though if your education is nothing more than merely the opinions regurgitated from another person’s educational training? Yes, I know those opinions have to be widely supported in order to hold significance but who is to say that such support is valid. Those books and lectures provide a stimulus of achievement but what is really happening is a manufacturing of thought deprived people. Why such a harsh statement you might ask. It is because most educated people like to follow and believe in the popular theory of collective thought.(Group think) Meaning just because it is proclaimed and followed by the majority they willingly accept it as correct for themselves. Another harsh term to use for such a group of esteemed people would be educated fools. This means that their strong belief in their educational training blinds their use of inductive reasoning.

Let me acknowledge that not all educated people operate in such a manner, it is just that quite a few do. Education is supposed to be a stepping stone towards pursuing knowledge but how many people actually make the transition? And I do not mean a specialization of knowledge such as a doctor or engineer; although they do make great contributions to society. I am talking about knowledge that crossovers multiple boundaries. Let me further explain this statement in order to clarify my position on why knowledge holds more power than education.

Knowledge is what you experience and can draw intelligent conclusions from. Experience is an important factor within knowledge because it shapes your outlook on the world around you in a realistic perspective. For instance some teachers in your life were either focused on educating you or more interested in giving you knowledge. Those who were focused on knowledge did more than just educate you about the lessons pertaining to the class subject. They transmitted information about the outside world to you in order for you to explore your own findings and gain knowledge first hand. Knowledge broadens your horizons and compels you to operate without a lens filtering your sight .When you become open to new experiences and have a thirst for learning, the knowledge you acquire can become more valuable than your formal education. How so? It is because knowledge produces the means which to educate your opinions of the truth. Knowledge exemplifies that you have an actual understanding of the environment around you and are not just reciting what books and someone have told you. Just take a look at the current job requirements. Experience is becoming more valuable than education because experience helps you better operate in the environment at hand. Education recommends to you what to do and what you should do but it does not truly inform you on how to interact and adapt. Knowledge on the other hand does just that, demonstrating that your wisdom gained creates value for others.

It may seem like I am downing formal education but that in not entirely true. I just believe you cannot take formal education at face value. When you do so you limit your ability to think beyond the walls constructed by the traditional process. The saying is that “the truth shall set you free.” That is why I view knowledge as the truth that allows you to think freely. Yes, education is very important for maturing and intellectual growth but sometimes your belief in your education can make you just as ignorant as an uneducated person. Seek knowledge in order to become a person that can speak intelligently on a variety of topics naturally instead over extending oneself in order to appear smarter than you truly are. Remember that knowledge is power.