INTELLECTUAL KNOWLEDGE: CHARACTERISTICS AND EXAMPLES - PHILOSOPHY - 2026

The 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 cannot 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 aware of it.

On the other hand, knowledge represents the intangible, what is in the mind, it changes depending on the context and cannot be easily replicated, since it is found within the mind of each person.

characteristics

It's endless

Intellectual knowledge cannot 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. By not ending, 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 the 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 is more easily digested by whoever is shared. It can be divided into small units to be distributed in parts and that way it is easier to handle.

It is transferable

It can be moved 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).

Is mobile

Tends to change and sneak into conversations. Being within the mind, knowledge involuntarily guides the deeds and words that people do and say.

During a conversation, knowledge often seeps into the ideas of its owner. Technical reproduction and transmission of knowledge often change its essence; hence, 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 to enrich or modify it.

The ability to reason is what gives human beings the ability 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 a statement: "There is no type 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 all sources of cognitive knowledge.

In the same way, Aristotle considers that all kinds of knowledge should be classified according to the purpose it serves.

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 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, it is the act of thinking and contemplating ideas that are already 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 Aristotelian theory, a teacher has the responsibility of imparting 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 to 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 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

Aristotle's practical knowledge 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 turn 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 that is given to it and the fact that it is affected by the social context in which the person who interprets it lives, make it an intangible and mobile concept.

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

- When a human being has two opposing concepts, one in front of the other, they are usually compared with each other 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 self-concept that each person generates when faced with a new experience or an unknown experience. The reasoning process that occurs in the mind to assimilate this idea subsequently gives it an intangible meaning, which becomes intellectual knowledge.

Themes of interest

Types of knowledge.

Subjective knowledge.

Objective knowledge.

Vulgar knowledge.

Rational knowledge.

Technical knowledge.

Intuitive knowledge.

Direct knowledge.

Empirical knowledge.

References

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