The 7 differences between vulgar knowledge and scientific knowledge

Summary of how to distinguish between common knowledge and scientific knowledge.

There are many forms of knowledge, sometimes very different. One of the clearest divergences is that between vulgar and scientific knowledge.

We will see what characterizes each of these forms and what are the differences between vulgar and scientific knowledge. the differences between vulgar knowledge and scientific knowledgeand in what contexts they are usually learned and used.

Common knowledge and scientific knowledge: definitions

To be able to assess what are the main differences between common knowledge and scientific knowledge, we must first understand what each of these forms of knowledge consists of. Focusing first on vulgar knowledge, we should know that its technical name is empirical knowledge, since it is based merely on the personal experiences of the one who possesses it.

Vulgar knowledge tries to explain the qualities of the world in which we live through the perception of the senses, that is to say, in a superficial way.that is to say, in a superficial way. This way of acquiring information has two fundamental characteristics. First, we are talking about a very particular knowledge for a specific event, which therefore we cannot generalize to other situations or different objects.

The second characteristic is that there is a contingency to the element and to the concrete moment. In this sense, we cannot guarantee that a situation, no matter how much it has been repeated in the past, will happen in the same way in the future, since it escapes this form of knowledge and therefore represents one of the differences between vulgar knowledge and scientific knowledge.

We must not fall into the error of considering vulgar knowledge as false or negative.. It is the first form of knowledge that the human being can acquire and from which he subsequently develops the others. It is generated in a random way, due to the presentation of different events in front of us, but it is also the one that, in a practical way, allows us to learn how to cope in everyday situations.

As for scientific knowledge, in its definition we find that it is based on verifiable facts that can be contrasted to explain a certain theory of science. theory of science. This type of knowledge is generally collected through the scientific method. In addition, this form of knowledge can be classified into two types.

On the one hand, we would have explicit knowledge, which is the one that allows all that information to be captured in a support and transmitted to other people, so that other individuals can also acquire it. But scientific knowledge would also be the so-called tacit knowledge. This is the knowledge that is part of the person as a skill developed for a given task, whether it is of a technical, artisan or scientific nature.

We can see that simply with the definitions of both concepts we can already appreciate the differences between common knowledge and scientific knowledge.

The main differences between scientific knowledge and common knowledge are as follows

Once we have established the basis of both concepts, we can investigate the main differences between common knowledge and scientific knowledge. To do so, we will explore different categories in which divergences can be observed.

1. What is the objective

The very objective of vulgar knowledge is none other than to have a minimum understanding of the events of the world. a minimum understanding of the events of the world in order to be able to interact with it in an adequate way..

On the contrary, scientific knowledge implies a deep understanding, finding the reason for an event, supported by data that are available to everyone, in order to be able to replicate the experience whenever necessary.

Here arises one of the most important qualities of scientific knowledge, and it is that it allows third parties, who had nothing to do with the original acquisition of such knowledge, to assimilate it. and therefore achieve an understanding of concepts that were far removed from their own personal experience.

2. How knowledge is acquired

Continuing with the differences between vulgar knowledge and scientific knowledge, another variable to compare would be the way in which the knowledge in question has been acquired. Therefore, vulgar knowledge is acquired by perceiving a certain object or phenomenon that presents itself to the subject in a random way.. In the case of scientific knowledge, this acquisition is given by a deep and deliberate observation.

The scientist tries to get to the origin of the phenomenon in order to find the basis of it and thus be able to explain it and above all to predict it in the future, extrapolating it to other familiar situations. Moreover, as we have seen, this knowledge can be transmitted to other people who have not necessarily had direct contact with the object of study.

3. Form of observation

Although this point is somehow mentioned in the previous section, its importance requires a deeper study. The key to observation in order to acquire scientific knowledge is that it must be systematic.. The event is analyzed in depth, without altering it during the process.

However, when we speak of vulgar or popular knowledge, the observation made by the person who is acquiring it is simply superficial. He/she picks up the observed phenomenon and integrates it as a pattern that occurs in the perceived way, without inquiring into the underlying complexity and therefore without being interested in the causes that make that event happen in that specific way and not in a different one.

4. Level of depth

The next in the list of differences between vulgar knowledge and scientific knowledge has to do with the level of depth reached by the knowledge in question. In the case of vulgar knowledge, we would be talking about a very superficial level, just enough to assimilate the pattern of the event witnessed, without digging deeper. Information is acquired in a static, passive way. The observer simply encounters the phenomenon.

In contrast, scientific knowledge implies a high level of depth.. The observer is an active part of the process, analyzing the underlying bases to find the exact information he needs to find the explanation of the event in order to be able to explain it and make predictions in the future.

5. Knowledge base

One of the most important differences between common knowledge and scientific knowledge has to do with their basis. When we speak of scientific knowledge, it is evident that the basis is rationality, since the logical explanation that hides the phenomenon being studied is sought.

However, vulgar knowledge has a basically sensitive, empirical basis.. What we see is what has happened, nothing more. There is no need to understand why, the usefulness is not in the understanding, only in the mere knowledge of the fact that happened. That is why the former is only descriptive, while the latter involves the preparation of statements and theories to be tested through analysis.

6. Level of correctness

Continuing with the differences between vulgar knowledge and scientific knowledge, we must not forget the level of correctness or certainty implied by one and the other. In the case of vulgar knowledge, we have no guarantee that the beliefs generated in this respect by the person are correct, since they are based on his personal experience at a specific moment in time.because they are based on his personal experience, at a specific moment in time.

On the contrary, scientific knowledge is based on contrasted and therefore correct data. This type of knowledge is self-correcting as the scientific observer is generating it, because he is constantly looking for the scheme that can explain in its totality the collected phenomenon and can also predict its behavior in the future, so it is not only valid for that particular moment.

7. Systematicity

Finally, we can distinguish these two forms of knowledge according to their systematicity. In this sense, we find that scientific knowledge is of a systematic type, that is, it follows a system and therefore some rules and a certain order. Moreover, this quality gives it the capacity to serve as a basis for generating other different scientific knowledge, progressively increasing its complexity.

In the case of vulgar knowledge, we do not find this systematicity.. As we have already seen, this knowledge is generated automatically because an observer randomly encounters any phenomenon and gathers the information through the senses. There is no defined system behind it, simply the perception of the person.

This would be the last in the list of differences between vulgar knowledge and scientific knowledge that we have compiled to learn to easily distinguish these two forms of knowledge, thus understanding the importance of both and the usefulness that each one has.

Bibliographical references:

• Bachelard, G. (1978). Common knowledge and scientific knowledge. Applied rationalism.
• Belda, M. (2007). Forms of Knowledge.
• Popper, K. (1974). Conocimiento científico. Madrid: Tecnos.
• Terradellas, M.R. (2009). Students' Process to transform the vulgar knowledge, prejudices and stereotypes they have about education, into scientific knowledge. A 'Taula A: Planificació de la docència centrada en l'estudiant'. Girona: Universitat.