The Value of Knowledge

Heyo · Dec 6, 2020

What is your knowledge worth?

To most of us reading OPs posted under the philosophy section, knowledge and truth have an intrinsic value. But what is it worth to society and what is it worth to an individual who doesn't value knowledge?
And I'm not talking about the knowledge needed to do your job, that would be too easy. I'm talking about your knowledge about the ancient Hittite empire (without being a historian), your interest in cosmogony (without being an astrophysicist), your ability to play an instrument (without being a musician).
Can we put a dollar value to being informed about the ToE (for an average citizen) or can we form a moral argument for being right about climate change?

Of course we cam immediately come up with the usual platitudes, informed electorate etc. but could we say when exactly it becomes not worth our time to argue with YEC on RF?

stvdv · Dec 6, 2020

Heyo said:
What is your knowledge worth?
Of course we cam immediately come up with the usual platitudes, informed electorate etc. but could we say when exactly it becomes not worth our time to argue with YEC on RF?

My favorite short story, from the Yoga Vasistha, in this context, is:

An oft-recurring expression in this scripture is "kakataliya" - a crow alights on the coconut palm tree and that very moment a ripe coconut falls. The two unrelated events thus seem to be related in time and space, though there is no causal relationship.

Such is life. Such is "creation". But the mind caught up in its own trap of logic, questions "why", invents a "why" and a "wherefore" to satisfy itself, conveniently ignoring the inconvenient questions that still haunt an intelligent mind

Vasistha demands direct observation of the mind, its motions, its notions, its reasoning, the assumed cause and the projected result, and even the observed and the observation - and the realization of their indivisible unity as the infinite consciousness

Another example given by Adi Shankaracharya, clearly illustrates how valuable knowledge is:

bhajagovindam bhajagovindam
govindam bhajamuudhamate
sampraapte sannihite kaale
nahi nahi rakshati dukrijnkarane

Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda. Oh fool ! Rules of Grammar will not save you at the time of your death.

So for me, knowledge was important to gain interest in spirituality and the questions that come with it. But the more I know, the more I realize that knowing is just a tool, not the end goal, and in the end knowledge is even an obstruction to final Self Realization, as knowledge is mind, and Self Realization is beyond the mind.

Note: Adi Shankaracharya was an Indian philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta
@stvdvRF

Cooky · Dec 6, 2020

Heyo said:
What is your knowledge worth?

To most of us reading OPs posted under the philosophy section, knowledge and truth have an intrinsic value. But what is it worth to society and what is it worth to an individual who doesn't value knowledge?
And I'm not talking about the knowledge needed to do your job, that would be too easy. I'm talking about your knowledge about the ancient Hittite empire (without being a historian), your interest in cosmogony (without being an astrophysicist), your ability to play an instrument (without being a musician).
Can we put a dollar value to being informed about the ToE (for an average citizen) or can we form a moral argument for being right about climate change?

Of course we cam immediately come up with the usual platitudes, informed electorate etc. but could we say when exactly it becomes not worth our time to argue with YEC on RF?

I'm ready to plug in, and become super educated. I want to know everything. I want to alter my morals, and open new pathways in my brain. physically.

bobhikes · Dec 6, 2020

Heyo said:
What is your knowledge worth?

To most of us reading OPs posted under the philosophy section, knowledge and truth have an intrinsic value. But what is it worth to society and what is it worth to an individual who doesn't value knowledge?
And I'm not talking about the knowledge needed to do your job, that would be too easy. I'm talking about your knowledge about the ancient Hittite empire (without being a historian), your interest in cosmogony (without being an astrophysicist), your ability to play an instrument (without being a musician).
Can we put a dollar value to being informed about the ToE (for an average citizen) or can we form a moral argument for being right about climate change?

Of course we cam immediately come up with the usual platitudes, informed electorate etc. but could we say when exactly it becomes not worth our time to argue with YEC on RF?

Like everything Knowledge has different values.

It is infinitely valuable to the self. If you want something then it is valuable
It is valuable in your social arena. You need to know social standards, laws, currency etc.
It is valuable when in need. Doctors, Lawyers, Police...etc.
It is trivia outside of this. You don't need to know about another societies laws, another persons private life, the mating lives of deep ocean fish...etc.

Dan From Smithville · Dec 6, 2020

While not directly connected to placing a value on it, knowledge is tied to verifiable and testable facts. While belief might get you to the same answer--at least in some instances--it is not tied to any particular fact or set of facts. Belief could just as easily lead you no where or astray without the associated facts to shore it up.

Dan From Smithville · Dec 6, 2020

Then my answer is that a value of knowledge is that it can be tested and falsified. Knowledge can also strengthen or be updated with new facts. Increasing the value.

Wandering Monk · Dec 6, 2020

Heyo said:
What is your knowledge worth?

To most of us reading OPs posted under the philosophy section, knowledge and truth have an intrinsic value. But what is it worth to society and what is it worth to an individual who doesn't value knowledge?
And I'm not talking about the knowledge needed to do your job, that would be too easy. I'm talking about your knowledge about the ancient Hittite empire (without being a historian), your interest in cosmogony (without being an astrophysicist), your ability to play an instrument (without being a musician).
Can we put a dollar value to being informed about the ToE (for an average citizen) or can we form a moral argument for being right about climate change?

Of course we cam immediately come up with the usual platitudes, informed electorate etc. but could we say when exactly it becomes not worth our time to argue with YEC on RF?

Knowledge can lead you to enjoy the wonder of things. Gimme more!

MNoBody · Dec 6, 2020

beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder.
knowledge.....beauty, same principle it seems.
might as well debate artistic values, one man's art is another man's trash.
Why that is, well that dialogue can go on forever...the song that has no end.

Dan From Smithville · Dec 6, 2020

MNoBody said:
beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder.
knowledge.....beauty, same principle it seems.
might as well debate artistic values, one man's art is another man's trash.
Why that is, well that dialogue can go on forever...the song that has no end.

Emily Dickinson said that truth and beauty were the same, but I think the distinction here is between knowledge that is testable and belief that is subjective. While there are features of art that can be validated with testing, opinions on what is and isn't or what is good or bad are subjective.

MNoBody · Dec 6, 2020

Dan From Smithville said:
Emily Dickinson said that truth and beauty were the same, but I think the distinction here is between knowledge that is testable and belief that is subjective. While there are features of art that can be validated with testing, opinions on what is and isn't or what is good or bad are subjective.

art moves people, in both good and bad ways [which depends on whom is making the valuation]
which is a well known principle as relevant to society as the hard data necessary to build bridges and run telecom systems, in its own way.

Dan From Smithville · Dec 6, 2020

MNoBody said:
art moves people, in both good and bad ways [which depends on whom is making the valuation]
which is a well known principle as relevant to society as the hard data necessary to build bridges and run telecom systems, in its own way.

And knowing that art moves people would be knowledge and have a value. Knowledge does not have to be of the technical sort that leads to bridges and communication systems. It could be as simple as knowing your friends or significant other's moods and what prompts them.

Dan From Smithville · Dec 6, 2020

MNoBody said:
art moves people, in both good and bad ways [which depends on whom is making the valuation]
which is a well known principle as relevant to society as the hard data necessary to build bridges and run telecom systems, in its own way.

But I do agree. Art does move people.

Trailblazer · Dec 7, 2020

Heyo said:
New What is your knowledge worth?

That all depends upon what kind of knowledge you are referring to. The word knowledge covers a lot of territory.

Estro Felino · Dec 7, 2020

I do believe search for knowledge has nothing to with the others.
It has to do with a personal exigence. That is why in so many language there is the expression "thirst for knowledge"...you know...it's like fresh water...

The Value of Knowledge

Heyo

Veteran Member

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV

Cooky

Veteran Member

bobhikes

Nondetermined

Dan From Smithville

Recently discovered my planet of origin.

Dan From Smithville

Recently discovered my planet of origin.

Wandering Monk

Well-Known Member

MNoBody

Well-Known Member

Dan From Smithville

Recently discovered my planet of origin.

MNoBody

Well-Known Member

Dan From Smithville

Recently discovered my planet of origin.

Dan From Smithville

Recently discovered my planet of origin.

Trailblazer

Veteran Member

Estro Felino

Believer in free will