Different Facets of Knowledge and Relationship between Local

Different Facets of Knowledge and Relationship between Local

Information or knowledge limited to a state or community or to a fixed area is called
local knowledge.

Knowledge accepted by all the people of the world and is common to all is referred to as universal knowledge.

1. Different Facets of Knowledge and Relationship between Local Knowledge and Universal Knowledge

2. Local Knowledge Information or knowledge limited to a state or community or to a fixed area is called local knowledge. It is the knowledge that people in a given community has developed over time and continues to develop. Local knowledge is practical common sense based on teachings and experiences passed on from generation-to-generation. Local knowledge is also known as traditional knowledge or indigenous knowledge. Local knowledge covers the knowledge of environment such as snow, ice, weather, resources , etc. It is divided into 3 kinds as common knowledge, shared knowledge, and specialised knowledge.

3. 1. Common knowledge is held by most people in a community. For example, how to cook the local staple food. 2. Shared knowledge is shared by many people, but not by all community members. For example, villagers who raise livestock will know more about basic animal husbandry than those without livestock . 3. Specialised knowledge is held by only few people, who might have special training or apprenticeship. For example, only few villagers become healers, midwives or blacksmiths. This type of knowledge is related to age, gender, occupation, division of labour within family , community, socio-economic status, experience, environment, etc. This has significant implications for research and development work.

4. Characteristics of Local Knowledge Local knowledge is - • Based on individual and community experiences, • Tested over centuries, and • Based on local culture and environment. • It includes community practices, institutions, relationship, and rituals; • It is dynamic and changing; • It is a collection of facts, concepts, beliefs, and perceptions that people have about the environment around them; • It applies to knowledge possessed by rural, urban, migrants, etc. • It is based on tribal, original inhabitants, and experiences of elder generations

5. It is observed, experimented, and experienced by people; • It reflects people’s behaviours , and the ability of problem solving in a specific situation ; • It includes processes whereby knowledge is generated, stored, applied, and transmitted to others; • It is holistic, and cannot be compartmentalised . It is rooted in the spiritual healing, culture , and language of the people, and is a way of life; and • It is dynamic and constantly changing as it adapts to a changing environment

6. Universal Knowledge Knowledge accepted by all the people of the world and is common to all is referred to as universal knowledge. Universal knowledge is a new approach, and is called as meta-science. It provides developmental answers to all questions. It extends to surrounding factors and influence of time . It refers to cumulative and complex bodies of knowledge, know-how, practices, based.

7. on science that are accepted and developed by people with extended research, inventions, experiences , and interactions with the natural environment. This universal knowledge streams from nowhere but it is within the being-ness that this pure untouched knowledge arises in its clearest form. For example, clouds bring rain and burning fuel provides energy.

8. Characteristics of Universal Knowledge • It is related to knowledge and thought; • It changes behaviour among human beings; • It grows with time; • It is a collection of facts and phenomena; and • It helps to understand the originality of existence

9. There are a few differences between local knowledge and universal knowledge. Local knowledge 1. Is related to local region 2. Has different opinions 3. Is document- based 4. Is based on local knowledge experience, environment, and rituals. 5. Does not change the behaviour of human beings

10. Universal knowledge 1. Is the same for all 2. Has a single opinion 3. Is truth-based 4. Is based on knowledge and thought 5. Changes the behaviour among human beings