TYPES OF KNOWLEDGE AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS (COMPLETE LIST) - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

Among the main types of knowledge, the analytical, the empirical, the logical, the formal, the material, the traditional, the ethical and the material stand out. The types of knowledge refer to the ways in which the information obtained by human beings is organized.

The knowledge is very wide and diverse; therefore, it has become necessary to create categories to sort it. The intention of these categories is to classify as much as possible each type of knowledge that can be accessed, so that its development and evolution can be facilitated.

Given the breadth of knowledge in general, different classifications have been structured to be able to develop it in a better way. Source: pixabay.com

In this context, there are knowledge based on abstraction, such as mathematical and logical, and knowledge that is based exclusively on matter, such as material knowledge.

Likewise, there is knowledge that can only be transmitted through academies and specialized institutions, while other types of knowledge are born only thanks to the verbal or written transmission of the members of a given society.

Something similar occurs when referring to technical knowledge, which is that which is obtained through experience and repetition of a specific task. Likewise, the professional is also acquired through experience but involves the element of formal education.

The types of knowledge are determined according to different elements of their nature. For example, knowledge according to its purpose has a different categorization from knowledge according to its form of disclosure. This way of classifying responds to the great breadth of the area of ​​knowledge.

Types of knowledge according to their origin

Analytical

The fundamental idea of ​​analytical knowledge is to know in depth a specific topic thanks to its deconstruction. In this way it is possible to access information related to the deepest foundations of the subject in question.

Analytical knowledge is focused on understanding the nature of a situation, event or scenario, in such a way that it is possible to understand the characteristics of the parts that comprise it.

The starting point to obtain analytical knowledge is the concrete, and once the concrete is characterized and understood, it is possible to access the most abstract concepts related to the subject being studied.

Synthetic

Synthetic knowledge is characterized by being the opposite of analytical. That is, in this case the starting point corresponds to the most specific parts of a given event; Once these areas have been understood, it is possible to access the scenario under study as a whole.

Synthetic knowledge makes it possible to study the elements through synthesis, conceptualized as the way through which it is possible to reach the essence of the facts or notions from understanding their parts.

Types of knowledge according to their purpose

Expressive

Expressive knowledge is related to how different procedures are carried out. Its purpose is to create a structure through which a certain action or set of actions can be systematized.

Thanks to this systematization, it is possible to generate fluid processes and promote the evolution of the people or situations in question. This type of knowledge is supported by technological tools and the development of systems that can be adapted to specific needs.

Communicative

Communicative knowledge is associated with the democratization of information. It is a type of knowledge focused on the dissemination of data, with the intention of making it accessible to all populations to whom it may interest.

It is an area that focuses its efforts on generating content that is widely disseminated. Ultimately, this type of knowledge seeks to solve a social problem related to access to information: the reason for its existence is precisely disclosure.

Scientific

Scientific knowledge is that which has the purpose of contributing actively and clearly to the structure of knowledge related to science.

This type of knowledge seeks to generate advances in different areas with the intention of solving specific problems and encouraging the progress of societies. Throughout history, scientific knowledge has been decisive for the development of human beings.

The field of science is very broad, so that scientific knowledge can be related to very diverse areas of study: medicine, technology, biology and computer science are just some of the sensitive areas to produce and use scientific knowledge.

According to his study of reality

Empirical

This type of knowledge is characterized because it is clearly adopted through one's own experience. In this case, observation has priority, which seeks to be the only element through which reality is perceived.

So, this type of knowledge is directly subject to the interpretations of whoever is exposed to it, since the vehicle through which it is obtained is individual experience. For this reason, the perception of individuals plays a very important role in the acquisition of this knowledge.

Empirical knowledge develops and evolves over time. Some scholars consider it limiting because the only source is experience itself, but even so they consider it essential to offer a useful look at a specific topic, even if it is somewhat superficial.

Scientific

Scientific knowledge is also based on reality; however, add a check action to this approach. In other words, scientific knowledge must be demonstrable in order to be considered valid.

The evidence associated with scientific knowledge may or may not be experimental. In any case, within its structure there is room for critical analysis; This implies that it is possible to alter forms of thought thanks to the effective demonstration of arguments, in this case scientific.

Philosophical

The basis of philosophical knowledge is observation, and its dynamics implies a very intimate relationship with the realm of thought rather than with experimentation.

Through philosophical knowledge it is possible to reflect on the context in a profound way. Relevant research and active observation are taken as a basis, and on these elements a totally rational argumentation is built with important influence of the author's interpretation.

In general, philosophical knowledge constitutes the starting point for the birth of new concepts and ideas, fundamental for the development of new lines of thought.

Theological

This type of knowledge focuses on God and his context. Those who cultivate theological knowledge are not focused on taking a critical look at these elements, but on understanding their characteristics as they have been given throughout history.

Although many of its conceptions are based on arguments corresponding to philosophical knowledge, theological knowledge is not characterized by being rational, since it starts from a truth related to the existence of God and does not intend to refute it in any way.

On the contrary, theological knowledge is one of the tools through which believers deepen their faith and commit themselves more intensely to the religion they profess.

Traditional

Traditional knowledge is that which has been built organically among the members of a particular community or society. The foundations of this knowledge have been established for years or even centuries, and are transmitted to subsequent generations through orality.

In order to be transcendent, this knowledge usually adapts to new times but always maintaining the main essence; in this way it is still considered valid and representative.

Language, folklore, specific ways of carrying out agriculture, rituals and even legislation can be considered part of the traditional knowledge of a society.

Intuitive

Intuitive knowledge is also linked to experience. In this case, it is built naturally and is determined by the different experiences that each individual has experienced throughout their lives.

The main characteristic of intuitive knowledge is that it is used in everyday life. Thanks to this knowledge, human beings solve situations that arise on a day-to-day basis and are capable of reacting to new circumstances in a fluid way.

Mathematical

This knowledge is related to the abstract. It relies on numbers and calculations to obtain relevant information. Mathematical knowledge is considered close to logic as a discipline, although it is different because the latter is not necessarily based on numbers.

Through mathematical knowledge it is possible to create concrete and numerical schemes, and the main purpose is to solve not only theoretical problems, but also within the scope of the concrete and applicable.

Logical

Through logical knowledge conclusions are obtained based on certain premises. The main quality of logical knowledge is that it is based on the creation of relationships between different elements, situations and realities. Inference is taken into account and rationality is prioritized.

The relationships that we mentioned before are determined by the individual, since they depend on the experiences that he has had with the situations or elements that he is linking.

According to its purpose

Technical

Technical knowledge is what allows transforming scientific knowledge into practical elements. These are capacities that are instrumental in nature and are usually cultivated in individuals through the repetition of actions.

In many cases, technical knowledge makes use of tools by means of which it can be applied in specific areas. Likewise, it is possible that this knowledge is transmitted from one person to another: for example, there are many cases of trades or activities that are applied in different generations of a family group.

Artistic

This type of knowledge is intimately related to the interpretation of reality that a specific artist makes and that he ends up capturing in his works. It is highly subjective and personal; therefore, it cannot be replicated exactly the same by other people.

Experience and observation act as tools that help deepen artistic knowledge, but ultimately this type of knowledge is born from the individual creativity of each person.

Political

Political knowledge is that which encompasses the analysis related to the social sphere, understood from the point of view of the relationships that are generated within societies between the different roles played by members of said society.

This type of knowledge also includes the historical field, so that it is possible to understand the evolution of a society in terms of its political actions. This can help prevent certain conflict scenarios linked to this area.

Ethical

Ethical knowledge is that which is related to general conceptions of good and evil. This type of knowledge is intended to understand how these notions are directly and indirectly linked to individuals and their interactions.

Through this knowledge it is possible to create certain thought structures through which the behavior of people can be guided or regulated.

Moral

Through moral knowledge it is possible to consider valid or not the behaviors and / or the personality characteristics of individuals. In other words, moral knowledge is that which is based on the moral judgments that we carry out in relation to human beings.

The use of this knowledge supposes a dose of subjectivity, but at the same time it is based on the moral precepts adopted by societies, so its basic arguments are derived from a convention.

According to the structure of its content

materials

Material knowledge involves all those elements of reality that can be transformed and / or combined with others.

This knowledge takes into consideration everything that can be perceived from the sensory point of view, and bases its arguments on observation and experimentation.

Formal

Formal knowledge is one that supports its arguments on abstract notions. It is characterized by being highly rational and by using systematization to organize its elements.

This type of knowledge is based on inferences and deductions to make its validations, since it does not obtain them through experimentation or observation. Computers and mathematics are examples of science that are based on formal knowledge.

According to its form of disclosure

Encoded

This type of knowledge is also known as explicit, and it is that which is transmitted through a systematic code, be it language or symbolic elements.

Coded knowledge is expressed in an easy and direct way, and must be understandable by all those who handle the codes on which it is based.

These codes are conventions created for centuries by societies; this is the reason why encoded knowledge is so accessible to members of that community.

Implicit

Also known as tacit knowledge, it is based on notions that are not easily expressed because they correspond to the personal construction of individuals based on the experiences they have lived.

Through implicit knowledge human beings try to make sense of their own experiences. It is not visible and it is difficult to express it with formal language or symbols agreed upon by society.

To transmit implicit knowledge it is necessary to make use of other specific tools, such as coexistence or repeated interaction relationships in a given time.

Private

Private knowledge is based on experiences related to the intimate life of a particular person, so they are not part of the extended cultural or social sphere.

These are exclusive notions built and developed behind closed doors, which only concern specific people and not a public sector.

Public

This type of knowledge is that conceived for a large number of people, because it is of interest to them for different reasons.

Public knowledge is considered as part of the culture of a given society, therefore it is widely and notoriously disseminated with the intention of reaching the largest number of people who are concerned with such information.

According to its form of acquisition

Religious

It is that knowledge whose source of obtaining is religion. It is based on religious dogmas and offers very little room for criticism and analysis.

Religious knowledge is not usually questioned or disapproved, its structure contains unique arguments that normally come from the sacred scriptures.

One of the most outstanding characteristics of religious knowledge is that those who transmit it make evident efforts to maintain the same argumentative base of origin, which guarantees that said knowledge will be maintained over time in the same way.

Traditional

Traditional knowledge is that which is obtained through the customs and social representations that communities have cultivated for centuries.

It is transmitted from generation to generation through the practice and repetition of specific actions. This type of knowledge allows the construction of a well-defined and relevant cultural identity for communities, peoples and, ultimately, for countries in general.

Vulgar

It is also known as pre-scientific knowledge and is characterized by being eminently empirical. It is about those notions shared by the members of a given community and which have been learned through interaction with reality and its implications.

This type of knowledge is not validated by any verification method, so it is not entirely reliable. It can be based on non-legitimized opinions or on repetition of certain behaviors.

Despite the little validity that it may have, vulgar knowledge can help in the resolution of conflicts typical of everyday life that are framed in a specific community or society.

Professional

Professional knowledge is that composed of the skills and abilities that are absolutely necessary for the correct performance of a person within the framework of a specific profession.

This type of knowledge considers both theoretical and practical elements, obtained through practice and experience in the sector. Professional knowledge is obtained gradually and is determined by the set of experiences that the professional in question has had since they began their training.

Academic

Academic knowledge is that which is obtained through formal educational institutions, such as schools, universities, institutes and other organizations whose main function is educational.

These institutions have codified knowledge responding to what the societies in which they are immersed consider the educational structure to be. They rely on the culture and social structures of a given community to organize information in a specific way.

According to its way of conservation

Digitized

It is the knowledge that is stored digitally, a method based on the organization of information in data units, which can be processed by computer systems.

This knowledge includes written, graphic, audio or audiovisual elements. Thanks to digitization it is possible to preserve knowledge for much longer; in addition, it is made accessible to a greater number of people.

Artistic

This type of knowledge is that which is represented in elements that make up the artistic expressions of certain societies, and is preserved in this way so that different people and even different generations can have access to this knowledge.

The elements of past eras found through archaeological explorations are an example of artistic knowledge, since the characteristics and elements of these works have been decisive to nurture the knowledge that was had in relation to these original cultures.

Bibliographic

It is the knowledge that is preserved in written documents, usually of an academic nature. It corresponds to all the knowledge related to a certain topic that has been registered in bibliographic sources.

These sources are very varied and include from dictionaries to treatises on history, through doctoral theses, testimonial books, papers, reports on different topics, among many others.

Cultural

It is that knowledge represented in the customs, belief systems, cultural characteristics and values, among other aspects, of a given society.

This knowledge includes the behaviors of the people who make up that society, as well as their most essential traditions. All these elements define a specific group of individuals and allow this information to be preserved over time.

Themes of interest

Subjective knowledge.

Objective knowledge.

Vulgar knowledge.

Rational knowledge.

Technical knowledge.

Intuitive knowledge.

Direct knowledge.

Intellectual knowledge.

Empirical knowledge.

References

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