Is Knowledge Power?

Answer 1

I am not sure whether you are just looking for a joke or for a fun comment as so many do in this place, and that is fine, but they should make that clear. Since this is the Philosophy section, I will charitably assume that you are looking for a philosophical answer. YES! Knowledge is power. Most philosophers including but not limited to F. Bacon and J. S. Mill have recognized the power of knowledge. Those who recognize the power of knowledge tend to spend their lives pursuing knowledge. What Political Science does not teach about power Philosophy does; political science focuses on the interpersonal, inter-group and international aspects of power, whereas philosophy focuses much on the intra-personal aspects of power. Power is not only about control over others, as Nietzsche was very aware; it is also about individualization of self by means of self-control, and the optimization of one's capacity for freedom.

In my view, Knowledge is the most benevolent Power of Humankind, and one can measure the greatness of that Power by the consequences that individuals and societies experience due to its extent of presence or absence in their mental and social Lives. Because they apply new knowledge, new civilizations emerge, and because they lack newly needed knowledge old civilizations collapse. Civilizations exist as the concrete Knowledge and the Ignorance of their people; when the Knowledge of people is inadequate for adding to their problem-solving Knowledge in the ways that their civilizational survival requires their civilization risks collapse; when a civilization collapses its Knowledge is no longer active in the same way that it once was, but its epistemic parts can be reanimated by subsequent civilizations.

Knowledge is the Power of Humankind to expand its Knowledge (its social dispositional tendencies) and its knowledge (its internal dispositional tendencies) in ways that will facilitate Humankind's capacity to benefit from all its powers. Ignorance is the power of Humankind to expand its ignorance so that it will diminish its powers, that is, ignorance is the power of humankind to disempower itself, it belongs to the negative form of political power (namely "power over") that Political Science mainly focuses upon. Because of their observations of public politics, people tend to ignore the individual and social developmentally positive aspects of power, and thus it should be no surprise that our world lacks the benevolent forms of power, and is, consequently, corrupt.

Answer 2

Knowledge in itself won't provide power. One must also have intelligence that could make use of knowledge. However, and most importantly, influence is the key. Influence is the fifth force in the universe (and the most powerful, IMO). An influencial person, with knowledge can control masses of people. Note, that intelligence is packaged within the ability to influence. However, wisdom is not. An influencial person can very well lead masses of people to their deaths. It has happened many times throughout history.

But then, most power comes with wealth. It always comes down to the Golden Rule. Whoever has the gold, rules.

Answer 3

To a point yes. But if you use your knowledge for selfish reasons or to intentionally hurt someone than no, I would disagree. If you use knowledge to help others benefit than most definitely, knowledge is power. The power to affect someone's life in a positive way; to influence a life in a positive way. It's how we use our knowledge that's most important.

Mahalo! =0)

Answer 4

Is Knowledge Power ?

Can be -- but, it can also be simply knowledge for knowledge's sake OR knowledge with little resources to put what's known into action --- ALSO --- a lot can be said of the shortfalls of knowledge without wisdom to utilize it properly !!

Answer 5

Knowledge can be power supposing that the one with the knowledge therefore has the advantage, because if everyone has the same knowledge than everyone is equal.

Answer 6

Depends on how you use it and how well it is combined with influence and psychological fitness.
Lots of knowledge is held by frustrated PhD candidates who have been driving trucks for decades. They have tons of knowledge and no power to apply it.
Savants sometimes have vast knowledge and no power.

Answer 7

Knowledge is opportunity; power is control! Take control of every opportunity you get, then knowledge is power!

Answer 8

In a way I think it is.

The more knowledge we have, the better able we are to understand and deal with the world around us.

To me, being able to have control in our lives is the ultimate power we can gain.

Answer 9

No Its not power. Knowledge is something we all need . But as far as power is concerned there is no such thing.

Answer 10

Knowledge is power, be it good or evil. But knowledge can also lead to downfall, if mixed with inapropriate attitudes. So yeah, Knowledge is pwer