At one point in the history of mankind, it was possible for a human to know all accumulated human knowledge. The person that discovered fire or how to start a fire and keep it going was the genius of the group. The same thing when someone discovered with the wheel, how to catch a fish, how to cook the fish without burning your hand, how to grow a crop or tan a hide. As civilization advanced and grew, so did the knowledge base.
Within the last several hundred years mankind has advanced so far, that we can prevent diseases, viruses and sickness. We can make water clean, grow massive amounts of food to feed billions of people, harness energy from the sun, the wind and the earth. We can travel around the earth in vehicles like aircraft, ships and cars. We can even develop tools and machines that can be used along with technology to kill billions of people.
Based on what historians and archaeologist have found, the discoveries by man have been able to advance mankind through the ages. With each discovery came new challenges, the challenge to retain what had been learned, add it to the knowledge data base, and pass it on for future generations. In today’s advanced societies, we associate science, medicines and technology with knowledge.
It’s interesting to note, that thousands of years ago they couldn’t do a lot of what we can do today. On the other hand, they have done things back then that we can’t do today.
Now, consider a society where they are not as advanced, because they have not felt the need, or for whatever reason. These societies exist today in certain parts of the world. If they were brought to an advanced society, they would not be able to function or survive without considerable help and education.
However, if someone from an advanced society were to go to the lower level society, the question becomes “Without modern or advanced technology, could they survive there”?
Everyone that was asked this question answered “Yes, with the proper education and training to live in that environment”. Even though the educated person is considered the more knowledgeable, they would still need education to live in a less knowledgeable environment. This paradigm dictates that society is the basic measure of knowledge.
Now here’s the kicker, after centuries of accumulated knowledge, and advancements in technology and society, mankind still wages wars over religion and land, killing each other and diminishing the value of another human’s life. With all the knowledge attained from the beginning of life, we still haven’t learned what is important.
Some people will read this and say “that’s the stupidest thing I ever heard” and others will say “that’s brilliant”, because after all, knowledge is relative.
Note: the reference of current age or today is based on the Gregorian calendar and year 2013.
