K.V. Seetharamaiah
Galileo Galilei, Natural Philosopher, Astronomer and Mathematician, acknowledges that he has not met a man so ignorant that he could not learn something from him. He rightly says that everyone has something to learn from everyone. It is literally true. Not only learning, there is something to unlearn from others also if it is for good. Information and knowledge can be acquired through others also. Theory can also be learnt from others and can be taught to others. But experience comes only from personal involvement. It cannot be begged, borrowed or stolen. Books, newspapers, cinemas, TV channels are the important source of information and knowledge. Friends and relatives also play important role in contributing for the knowledge. Knowledge is power. This is often attributed to Francis Bacon, one of the leading figures in natural philosophy and in the field of scientific methodology. But Frank Zappa, a prolific workaholic, says “Information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is THE BEST”. Albert Einstein, German born Theoretical Physicist, is of the view “Information is not knowledge”. Oxford Dictionary defines ‘Information’ as “facts or knowledge provided or learned as a result of research or study”. Experience is also a main source of knowledge. John Naisbitt, author of Megatrends says “We are drowning in information but starved for knowledge”. Information is also defined as a collection of data or facts. Knowledge is the understanding and application of that information. Knowledge can be classified as theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge. For good output, both theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge are absolutely necessary. That is why, Immanuel Kant, German Philosopher, aptly says that experience without theory is blind but theory without experience is mere intellectual play. Theoretical knowledge is acquired by understanding the problem and experience is gained through practical work. An officer without experience at grass-root level can hardly guide and lead the staff under his control. Rather, the staff control the officer. Officers with little or no practical knowledge fall prey to the sinister designs of staff under their control. A number of officers act as the signing machines unable to comprehend the nature of work carried out by their subordinate employees. Vast service but no experience. Involvement in the work gives experience. Sometimes there will be wide gap between theoretical knowledge and working knowledge. “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn”, says Benjamin Franklin, American Polymath. For learning, involvement is absolutely necessary. Learning is prelude for experience. Theoretical knowledge comes from reading books and watching what the others do. But experience comes only when that theory is translated into practice. Theoretical knowledge without experience and experience without theoretical knowledge is like a single wheeled cart. But knowledge is more an offshoot of experience than theory. Many people seek opportunities to have experience. But they may not get. There are many people who have the opportunity to gain experience but they do not make use of that opportunity. Experience is not something that can be got without application of mind and hard work. Theory and experience are inseparable part of life. That is why it is said, see and know, and do and learn. Theory and Experience are the foundation of knowledge.
