Studying Disinterested Knowledge is a Holiday

[coberst]

Studying Disinterested Knowledge is a Holiday

Studying disinterested knowledge is like taking off a month every year to visit a strange new land. Curiosity is reinvigorated and new meaning is created.

Disinterested knowledge is the energy bunny; studying disinterested knowledge creates more energy than it consumes. It generates the energy for exploration and for overcoming some of our inhibitions.

Disinterested knowledge is an intrinsic value. Disinterested knowledge is not a means but an end. It is knowledge I seek because I desire to know it. I mean the term 'disinterested knowledge' as similar to 'pure research', as compared to 'applied research'. Pure research seeks to know truth unconnected to any specific application.

Knowledge is like a jigsaw puzzle. We have created many puzzles in coping with reality and when we receive a new piece of knowledge that does not fit our present puzzles we forgetaboutit (Italian word for ‘forget about it’). However, if through disinterested knowledge we have created new puzzles within which the new knowledge might fit we might find a whole new meaning in life.

After we leave school if we want to become a self-learner and to become knowledgeable of new domains we will follow this same procedure but with a significant difference. We will have no teacher to supply us with the pieces of the puzzle. Especially difficult will be gathering the appropriate side pieces so that we can frame our domain. After this we might very well have to imagine the image of the puzzle because we will not have a teacher to help us ‘see’ what the domain ‘looks like’.

When we become a self-learner we will often find pieces of knowledge that do not fit our already constructed frames, when this happens we have two choices. We can throw away the new fragment of knowledge or we can start a journey of discovery in an effort to organize the construction of a new domain. The odd piece of knowledge is either trashed or we must begin a big effort to start construction on a new big puzzle.

I think that knowledge is easily acquired when that knowledge fits easily within one’s accepted ideologies. If we have a ready place to put a new fragment of knowledge we can easily find a place to fit it in. When the knowledge does not fit within our already functioning ideas that fact will be discarded unless a great deal of effort is made to find a home for that fragment of knowledge.

We are unable to move beyond our ideologies unless we exert great effort. No one can give us that type of knowledge; we must go out of our way to stalk it, wrestle it to the ground and then find other pieces that will complete a frame. That is why our schools do not try to take us beyond our narrow world because it is too costly in time and effort. Our schools prepare us to be good workers and strong consumers, anything beyond that we must capture on our own.

No one can give us that kind of knowledge. It can only be presented as an awakening of consciousness and then we can, if we have the energy and curiosity go and capture the knowledge of something totally new and start a new puzzle.

Creativity is the synthesis of the known into a model of the unknown. The value of the unknown is yet to be determined. Creativity requires a comfort with the unknown.

[Jesin]

When a new piece of knowledge doesn't fit with an old piece, you have to discard one of them. Is that what you were trying to say in the paragraph in the middle?

Also, what's with all the font tags? Why do you keep using those?

[Aphasia]

My random bits of knowledge are, using a mechanical analogy, like a freaking huge katamari (I've never played the game before) instead of (many many) neat two-dimensional jigsaws with holes here and there. Just saying.

I don't quite understand what you meant by disinterested knowledge, though I think I got the gist of your post. Warning: my guesses sometimes veer miles off the mark.

[coberst]

Originally Posted by Jesin

When a new piece of knowledge doesn't fit with an old piece, you have to discard one of them. Is that what you were trying to say in the paragraph in the middle?

Also, what's with all the font tags? Why do you keep using those?

If a bit of knowledge is acquired that has no meaning, i.e. has no personal connection, it becomes easily discarded, much like a stray cat.

What is a font tag?

[coberst]

Originally Posted by Aphasia

My random bits of knowledge are, using a mechanical analogy, like a freaking huge katamari (I've never played the game before) instead of (many many) neat two-dimensional jigsaws with holes here and there. Just saying.

I don't quite understand what you meant by disinterested knowledge, though I think I got the gist of your post. Warning: my guesses sometimes veer miles off the mark.

A professor of philosophy studying Aristotle is studyng interested knowledge whereas an engineer studying Aristotle is studying disinterested knowledge. An engineer studying stress analysis of steel beams is studying interested knowledge whereas a professor etc. etc.

[loveofreason]

Seeking disinterested knowledge is discovering the capacity for wonder. I think the human essence is satisfied with "just because" as an answer to "why study?", but education always pushes that learning is for an end.

Let's have more beginnings of new puzzles and synthesis of knowledge.

[Jesin]

Go to this page:
http://www.intpforum.com/profile.php?do=editoptions
Near the bottom of that page, you should find a menu labeled "Message Editor Interface". On that menu, select "Standard Editor - Extra formatting controls". Once you've done that, hit the "Save Changes" button at the bottom.

After you do that, you should have an easier time keeping your forum posts the right color, and I should have an easier time quoting parts of your posts.

[coberst]

Originally Posted by Jesin

Coberst, go to this page:
http://www.intpforum.com/profile.php?do=editoptions
Near the bottom of that page, you should find a menu labeled "Message Editor Interface". On that menu, select "Standard Editor - Extra formatting controls". Once you've done that, hit the "Save Changes" button at the bottom.

After you do that, you should have an easier time keeping your forum posts the right color, and I should have an easier time quoting parts of your posts.

I did as suggested.

[Jesin]

OK, good.

Sorry, don't mean to disrupt the flow of the thread. Carry on.