WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE ?

Knowledge is defined as the act, fact, or state of knowing a range of information. The act of knowing requires knowledge or awareness of information relevant to a particular act. The state of knowing describes the condition that characterizes an object in which such knowledge of information exists. If knowledge is defined as a fact of knowing some information, it describes a clear perception, or understanding, or awareness, or cognizance of information that pertains to that fact. Knowledge can only exist, can only be found in an object which has the abilities of perception, understanding, awareness, or cognition. In other words, knowledge is an attribute of the act, fact, or state of living. A living object is the seat of knowledge and the presence of knowledge could be verified or detected in any of the actions or activities of that living matter. The act of living requires a state or condition of knowing information relevant to sustaining life's functions.

In common usage, the word knowledge is used to describe all that has been perceived, or grasped by the human brain. The Learning, the body of facts, principles, etc., accumulated by man is stated as his knowledge. The State of Knowing becomes evident only when knowledge is transformed into action. Man displays knowledge in the use of his hands and feet in the performance of his actions. Man can communicate his knowledge in his speech, in his writings, and in his use of a variety of tools, instruments, gadgets, and machines. If human brain or mind is viewed as the Seat of Knowledge, hands and feet, or the muscles used in vocalization are the sites where knowledge is transformed into action. Knowledge involves receiving/storing information at one site and using that information in the performance of action at a different site. The ability and the quality of a man's function reflects upon his State of Knowledge relative to that function. Knowledge is verified during its application to perform a function. This concept or understanding about Knowledge in Action could also be used in the context of describing functions at cellular level.

The information that is found in books, in writings, in speech/speech recordings,etc., should not be described as knowledge. A robotic mechanical arm could perform tasks with great precision while it has no knowledge of its own. Knowledge, awareness, and ability to use information exists only as an attribute of life or as an act of living.

WHAT IS LIFE ?

Life is described as a state of an organism characterized by certain processes or abilities that include metabolsm, growth, motion, reproduction, responsiveness to stimuli, and awareness of its own existence in an environment. The act of living could be described by stating the functions that are characteristic of life. Functions depend upon use of information; the information that is stored at a particular site is transferred to a different site or location where it is transformed into action which constitutes the nature of functioning. All living organisms are composed of cells and cell products. In a typical plant, or animal cell known as Eukaryotic Cell, the genetic, hereditary, and biological information is located in a cell structure called Nucleus. In structures known as Chromosomes, the cell stores information for its growth, replication, reproduction, and metabolic functions such as protein synthesis for its maintenance. The biological information is transferred with the help of Messenger RNA to structures called Ribosomes located outside the Nucleus in the Cytoplasm of the cell. The Ribosomes manufacture proteins using Energy provided by another structure in the Cytoplasm known as Mitichondrion which converts Oxidative Energy into Chemical Energy. Life is always associated with its Living Functions and these functions depend upon the use of Energy. If Life is viewed as manifestation of Energy or Life Force, Life could be defined as a State of Knowing the Connection between Energy Seeker and Energy Provider/Source of Energy.

Life and its Functions are the evidence of its State of Knowledge. Hence, Life could be defined as "Knowledge in Action." Life comes into existence, or into a state of Living, and Life begins with the establishment of Knowledge in an object or matter that grows and gains its identity of a Living Organism.

Please also view a related blog post titled 'Defining Indian identity - The Pursuit of Pure and Perfect Knowledge'.

http://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/defining-indian-identity-the-pursuit-of-pure-and-perfect-knowledge/

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham,

Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India,

M.B.B.S., Class of April, 1970