Human knowledge has developed differently among people living in varied ecological landscapes such as forests, plains, coastal areas, and mountains. Because their ways of life and environments differ, their knowledge and technology also show great variety. Therefore, knowledge must be defined in a way that includes people’s diverse methods of survival, adaptation, and subsistence.
In simple terms, knowledge refers to the skills, understanding, and traditional wisdom that each generation inherits and passes on to the next. It is through this inherited, practical knowledge that people can overcome everyday challenges and sustain themselves in their local environment. Thus, knowledge is always closely connected to the specific landscape ecosystem in which people live.
In traditional societies, knowledge was often communicated through shamans or spiritual leaders who were believed to have a special connection with supernatural powers. People worshipped nature in the form of local deities and performed various magical rituals and ceremonies. Yet, at its core, these practices were deeply rooted in the idea of sustainability—the need to use natural resources carefully so that they would last for future generations.
For example, forest-dwelling communities possessed a detailed understanding of how plants and animals interacted within their ecosystem, recognising the interdependence of all living things. Similarly, coastal communities that depended on the sea had developed knowledge about marine life, tides, and weather patterns. Their daily practices reflected a belief in the conservation and balance of natural resources. Hence, traditional knowledge in Kerala, as elsewhere, was practical, community-based, and guided by the values of harmony with nature.
- Knowledge is not uniform—it varies based on environment, lifestyle, and survival strategies.
- For people in natural landscapes (forest, hills, coast), knowledge means:
- Skills,
- Understanding, and
- Traditional wisdom passed through generations.
- It is practical knowledge, helping people adapt and survive.
- Knowledge is closely connected to nature and to each specific ecosystem.
- Knowledge was often expressed through belief in supernatural forces and nature worship.
- Shamans (spiritual leaders) played a role in preserving and transmitting this knowledge.
- Behind these beliefs was an understanding of sustainability and balance with nature.
- Forest dwellers knew how plants and animals interacted, and coastal people understood sea ecology.
- Their rituals encouraged conservation and respect for natural resources.
Knowledge System
A system is made up of interconnected parts that function together as a whole. A knowledge system, therefore, refers to a set of interrelated forms and sources of knowledge that influence and support one another. These systems do not exist in isolation; they are shaped by the economic, political, and social realities of their time.
For instance, in medieval Europe, knowledge systems were heavily influenced by religion and feudalism, while in the modern era, scientific knowledge has been guided by capitalism, industrialisation, and technological advancement. Social and historical contexts, therefore, determine the form that knowledge takes at any given time.
It is also essential to understand how science became the dominant form of knowledge in the modern world. The Western model of knowledge, which emphasises logic, experiment, and evidence, came to be considered “scientific,” while other forms of knowing were often treated as inferior or unscientific. However, this dominance was also linked to colonial and cultural power, which gave the Western scientific model authority across the world.
In India, traditional knowledge systems were once shaped largely by Sanskrit scholarship, which had the same kind of influence over regional languages as Latin or Greek did over European languages. While regional systems of knowledge shared many ideas with Sanskritic thought, they also developed their own local versions and expressions through vernacular languages such as Malayalam.
The history of knowledge, therefore, is not a simple or linear story of progress. It is a complex, multi-dimensional process involving the interplay of power, politics, and culture. Knowledge evolves through contact, adaptation, and transformation rather than through a straightforward accumulation of facts.
- A system means a set of interconnected parts that work together.
- A knowledge system is therefore a network of related types of knowledge.
- Knowledge systems are shaped by their time — economic, political, and social factors influence them.
- In medieval Europe, knowledge was shaped by religion and feudalism.
- In the modern world, knowledge is influenced by science, industry, and capitalism.
- Western knowledge became dominant due to the rise of science and colonial power.
- Indian models of knowledge were holistic, spiritual, and community-based.
- Sanskrit once dominated Indian knowledge systems, just as European languages did in the West.
- Regional languages (like Malayalam) absorbed and reshaped these Sanskrit influences.
Historical Knowledge
The growth of knowledge is not a simple or straight path. It is a complex, multi-dimensional process influenced by power, culture, politics, and society. Knowledge evolves through interaction rather than mere accumulation of facts. From a historical perspective, knowledge exists in two main forms. The first is knowledge embedded in material objects such as tools, pottery, monuments, rock art, and artefacts. These reveal the technological and cultural practices of earlier societies. The second form is knowledge recorded in written texts, such as manuscripts, inscriptions, and books, which preserve theoretical, philosophical, and practical understanding.
There are two kinds of historical knowledge:
- Embedded knowledge, which exists in material objects such as tools, artefacts, monuments, and rock carvings. These physical remains reveal how people lived and what technologies they used.
- Textual knowledge, which appears in written documents like manuscripts, inscriptions, and historical records. These texts provide direct evidence of ideas, beliefs, and social systems.
Together, these two forms of evidence help us understand how Kerala’s knowledge systems developed over time.
- Knowledge grows not in a straight line, but through the interaction of power, culture, and politics.
- It is a multi-dimensional process, not just an accumulation of facts.
- Embedded Knowledge – Found in material objects like tools, artefacts, monuments, and rock art.
- Textual Knowledge – Found in written documents, inscriptions, and manuscripts.
Academic Knowledge
Academic knowledge is a specialised and systematic form of knowledge that differs from traditional or common knowledge. It is explicit, codified, and continuously refined through logical reasoning and research. Unlike the practical, experience-based knowledge of everyday life, academic knowledge is constructed through deliberate analysis, supported by evidence and reasoning.
Traditional knowledge, on the other hand, develops through experience, observation, and oral transmission within a community. It is often accepted as inherited wisdom and passed down unquestioningly from generation to generation. Academic knowledge, in contrast, encourages questioning, verification, and proof. It is shared within the academic community because of its tested validity and logical consistency.
People in any society use both kinds of knowledge, though in different ways. Some individuals rely mainly on common wisdom and imitation of existing practices, while others apply knowledge more critically and contextually. In this sense, wisdom and knowledge are sometimes used interchangeably. However, thinkers distinguish between them: wisdom is seen as a more advanced form of knowledge that involves insight, judgment, and ethical understanding.
Scholars of “academic wisdom” also recognise that community wisdom—especially in matters of environmental conservation, social justice, and ethics—can often be superior to purely academic knowledge. Traditional practices that sustain ecosystems, for instance, demonstrate long-term understanding of ecological balance that modern science sometimes overlooks.
Academic knowledge advances through research, which involves questioning existing ideas, testing them, and refining them in light of new evidence. As the philosopher Karl Popper explained, genuine research does not merely confirm what is already known; rather, it challenges accepted truths and seeks to replace them with more accurate explanations. Through such critical and creative engagement, academic knowledge continually renews itself.
This process of revising and refining knowledge shows that even academic understanding is never final. What is accepted as true today can be reconsidered tomorrow when new data or insights emerge. In this way, knowledge remains a living, evolving process, always open to reinterpretation and rediscovery.
- Academic knowledge is specialised, systematic, and logically organised.
- It is explicit, codified, and continually refined through research and logical reasoning.
- Unlike traditional knowledge, it is based on evidence and rational argument rather than inherited belief.
- Traditional or common knowledge develops through experience and oral transmission, often accepted as inherited wisdom.
- Academic knowledge demands proof and verification, encouraging questioning instead of blind acceptance.
- Wisdom is considered a higher state of knowledge, involving critical insight, ethics, and truthful application.
- Scholars of “academic wisdom” acknowledge that common wisdom is often superior in ecological and ethical matters.
- Academic knowledge grows through research — the process of testing, challenging, and improving what is known.
- According to Karl Popper, research involves refuting existing knowledge and discovering more accurate or logical explanations.
- Academic knowledge is never final; it evolves as new evidence or reasoning emerges.
- Both traditional and academic knowledge contribute to a continuous process of learning, linking ancient wisdom with modern inquiry.
Knowledge in Kerala, and indeed everywhere, arises from human interaction with nature and society. It takes many forms—from practical and traditional to theoretical and academic. Traditional knowledge is rooted in local ecosystems and transmitted through oral traditions, rituals, and practices that emphasise sustainability. Knowledge systems are collective frameworks shaped by history, economy, and culture. Academic knowledge represents a more formal and self-critical form of inquiry that grows through research and evidence. Together, these different forms of knowledge form a continuum of human understanding—linking ancient wisdom with modern inquiry, and connecting lived experience with intellectual reflection.
- Knowledge is a product of human adaptation to nature and society.
- It exists in multiple forms — traditional, practical, and academic — each valuable in its own way.
- Traditional knowledge is community-based and ecological, while academic knowledge is systematic and research-driven.
- Knowledge systems are socially shaped and historically influenced rather than universal or fixed.
- The interaction between traditional wisdom and academic research ensures that knowledge remains dynamic, evolving, and inclusive.
