Knowledge Is Power Essay on Power of Knowledge

1. Knowledge Is Power
A Critical Analysis of
"Knowledge is Power"
1. Introduction
The claim of "Knowledge is power", made by Francis Bacon, has been universally well known.
Originally, it was proposed to stress the importance of knowledge in science and an academic spirit
because human were experiencing a major scientific revolution at that time and information
technology is not as developed as now to spread knowledge. Now it has been recognised by a much
wider range of fields. An interesting question is what the implication of this claim is in business,
especially in an era quite different from Bacon's time and a world featured with globalisation and
knowledge revolution (Alvesson and Karreman, 2001). The advanced technology today not only
changes...show more content...
In order to better understand the conception of knowledge, it is also vital to distinguish knowledge
from other similar conceptions. As mentioned above, there are too many aspects can be covered by
knowledge and it is not surprising to find conceptions like data, information and wisdom have been
frequently used interchangeably across academic journals and business practice. But they are
different conceptions. Davenport and Prusak (1998) defined data as simple description of reality,
information as data with purpose behind and knowledge as the idea that formed in minds after
gaining information. To better illustrate the relationship among these conceptions, Skyrme and
Amidon (1997) proposed a diagram known as "the Pyramid of Knowledge" (see figure 1). This
distinction made here has significant implication in practice. Modern technology makes it possible
for business to have access to tons of information instantly, but it does not necessarily mean they can
gain knowledge that way. As Davenport and Prusak (1998) defined, knowledge is different from
information as it does not only include the contents of information but also embody perception and
judgement of people. At the end of day, it depends on the person who has received the information to
come up with
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2. Essay on Power of Knowledge
The Power of Knowledge "Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise
of every progress." This quote from Kofi Annan, a diplomat of Ghana involved with the United
Nations, directly correlates with an overall theme found in Up from Slavery by Booker T.
Washington. This autobiography clearly depicts trials and tribulations that confronted Washington,
but not one of them is ever noted as anything less than a learning experience. Washington's passion
for learning enabled him to surpass boundaries perceived by those who allowed themselves to
merely become victims of their circumstances. He looked at the struggles that faced him as
opportunities to become a stronger and more confident person. Success did not come...show more
content...
Nevertheless, the difficulties that face society today only complicate this controversy further. While
education could never be fully replaced by experience, experience is still pivotal. When companies
and organizations look to hire for positions, they are forced to weigh both the education and the
experience that applicants have to offer. Society rests so much esteem on attaining a degree that the
need for experience is often undermined. Although education is much more readily accessible today
than during the time of Booker T. Washington's life, many individuals still do not take the college or
higher level learning route because there is another avenue that they are more interested in or they
are not readily equipped for the more strenuous caliber of work that is required. Still, those
individuals that enter straight into a career–field can compete right alongside those who have taken
the time to attain a degree. Degree programs most often require internships or career–simulation
programs, but nothing can beat real world experience. Experience teaches life skills first hand.
There is only so much about the world that can be read from a textbook or remembered from a
lecture. It means more to an individual when they have to handle situations themselves and when
they also have more at stake than a grade. Having a college degree should be highly respected
because it proves that an individual is capable of reaching long term goals, meeting deadlines,
successfully
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