Knowledge vs. Intelligence — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 13, 2024
Knowledge involves the accumulation of facts and information, while intelligence is the ability to apply that knowledge and solve problems.
Difference Between Knowledge and Intelligence
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Knowledge is the collection of facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education. It's tangible and often quantifiable. Intelligence, on the other hand, refers to the ability to apply knowledge, think abstractly, adapt to new situations, and solve problems.
Knowledge can be shared and documented, making it accessible to anyone. It's often specific to a domain or subject. Intelligence, whereas, is considered an inherent trait that influences how one acquires, processes, and utilizes knowledge. It's more about processing speed and the capacity to understand complex concepts.
The growth of knowledge is linear and incremental, building upon what is already known. Intelligence, on the other hand, can manifest in various forms and doesn't necessarily increase with the acquisition of new information. It's more about how effectively one can use what they know.
Knowledge requires a conscious effort to learn and remember information. It can be enhanced through education and personal experiences. Intelligence, however, is often seen as a natural ability that can be developed, but not taught in the traditional sense.
While knowledge is subject to obsolescence as new discoveries are made, intelligence is adaptable and enables individuals to navigate through changing information landscapes. This adaptability makes intelligence particularly valuable in solving new and unforeseen challenges.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
The collection of factual information.
The ability to apply knowledge and solve problems.
Source
Education, experience.
Inherent ability, experience.
Measurability
Quantifiable through tests and assessments.
Difficult to quantify accurately.
Role in Problem-Solving
Provides the necessary information.
Enables the application of knowledge.
Adaptability
Static, subject to change with new information.
Highly adaptable to new situations.
Compare with Definitions
Knowledge
Information gained through experience.
Practical knowledge is as valuable as academic knowledge.
Intelligence
The ability to adapt to new situations.
Her intelligence shone through when she navigated the unfamiliar city effortlessly.
Knowledge
Awareness or familiarity gained by experience.
Knowledge of the local culture enhances the travel experience.
Intelligence
The capacity for logic, understanding, self-awareness, and problem-solving.
Emotional intelligence is key to personal and professional relationships.
Knowledge
Expertise in a particular field.
Her knowledge of programming languages made her an asset to the team.
Intelligence
The skill of logical thought, analysis, and synthesis of information.
Intelligence is more than just book smarts. it’s about making connections.
Knowledge
The theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.
His deep knowledge of chemistry stems from years of study.
Intelligence
Aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings.
His intelligence allowed him to excel in abstract mathematics.
Knowledge
A body of facts accumulated over time.
His knowledge of history is extensive.
Intelligence
The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.
Her intelligence was evident in her quick learning.
Knowledge
Knowledge is a familiarity, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such as facts (descriptive knowledge), skills (procedural knowledge), or objects (acquaintance knowledge). By most accounts, knowledge can be acquired in many different ways and from many sources, including but not limited to perception, reason, memory, testimony, scientific inquiry, education, and practice.
Intelligence
Intelligence has been defined in many ways: the capacity for logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. More generally, it can be described as the ability to perceive or infer information, and to retain it as knowledge to be applied towards adaptive behaviors within an environment or context.
Knowledge
Facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject
A thirst for knowledge
Her considerable knowledge of antiques
Intelligence
The ability to acquire, understand, and use knowledge
A person of extraordinary intelligence.
Knowledge
Awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation
The programme had been developed without his knowledge
He denied all knowledge of the incidents
Intelligence
Information, especially secret information gathered about an actual or potential enemy or adversary.
Knowledge
The state or fact of knowing
Humans naturally aspire to knowledge.
Intelligence
The gathering of such information
"Corporate intelligence relies on a slew of tools, some sophisticated, many quite basic" (Neil King and Jess Bravin).
Knowledge
Familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained through experience or study
Has great knowledge of these parts.
Has only limited knowledge of chemistry.
Intelligence
An agency or organization whose purpose is to gather such information
An officer from military intelligence.
Knowledge
The sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned
The extraordinary knowledge housed in the library.
Intelligence
An intelligent, incorporeal being, especially an angel.
Knowledge
(Archaic) Carnal knowledge.
Intelligence
Of mind, especially to understand principles, truths, facts or meanings, acquire knowledge, and apply it to practice; the ability to comprehend and learn.
Knowledge
The fact of knowing about something; general understanding or familiarity with a subject, place, situation etc.
His knowledge of Iceland was limited to what he'd seen on the Travel Channel.
Intelligence
The quality of making use or having made use of such capacities: depth of understanding, mental quickness.
Knowledge
Awareness of a particular fact or situation; a state of having been informed or made aware of something.
Intelligence
(countable) An entity that has such capacities.
Knowledge
Intellectual understanding; the state of appreciating truth or information.
Knowledge consists in recognizing the difference between good and bad decisions.
Intelligence
, often secret, about an enemy or about hostile activities.
Knowledge
Familiarity or understanding of a particular skill, branch of learning etc.
Does your friend have any knowledge of hieroglyphs, perchance?
A secretary should have a good knowledge of shorthand.
Intelligence
(countable) A political or military department, agency or unit designed to gather information, usually secret, about the enemy or about hostile activities.
Knowledge
(philosophical) Justified true belief
Intelligence
(dated) acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
Knowledge
(obsolete) Information or intelligence about something; notice.
Intelligence
The act or state of knowing; the exercise of the understanding.
Knowledge
The total of what is known; all information and products of learning.
His library contained the accumulated knowledge of the Greeks and Romans.
Intelligence
The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment.
And dimmed with darkness their intelligence.
Knowledge
(countable) Something that can be known; a branch of learning; a piece of information; a science.
Intelligence
Information communicated; news; notice; advice.
Intelligence is given where you are hid.
Knowledge
(obsolete) Acknowledgement.
Intelligence
Acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
He lived rather in a fair intelligence than any friendship with the favorites.
Knowledge
(obsolete) Notice, awareness.
Intelligence
Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by study, research, or experience; general information.
I write as he that none intelligenceOf meters hath, ne flowers of sentence.
Knowledge
The deep familiarity with certain routes and places of interest required by taxicab drivers working in London, England.
Intelligence
An intelligent being or spirit; - generally applied to pure spirits; as, a created intelligence.
The great Intelligences fairThat range above our mortal state,In circle round the blessed gate,Received and gave him welcome there.
Knowledge
(obsolete) To confess as true; to acknowledge.
Intelligence
The division within a military organization that gathers and evaluates information about an enemy.
Knowledge
The act or state of knowing; clear perception of fact, truth, or duty; certain apprehension; familiar cognizance; cognition.
Knowledge, which is the highest degree of the speculative faculties, consists in the perception of the truth of affirmative or negative propositions.
Intelligence
The ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
Knowledge
That which is or may be known; the object of an act of knowing; a cognition; - chiefly used in the plural.
There is a great difference in the delivery of the mathematics, which are the most abstracted of knowledges.
Knowledges is a term in frequent use by Bacon, and, though now obsolete, should be revived, as without it we are compelled to borrow "cognitions" to express its import.
To use a word of Bacon's, now unfortunately obsolete, we must determine the relative value of knowledges.
Intelligence
A unit responsible for gathering and interpreting information about an enemy
Knowledge
That which is gained and preserved by knowing; instruction; acquaintance; enlightenment; learning; scholarship; erudition.
Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Ignorance is the curse of God;Knowledge, the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.
Intelligence
Secret information about an enemy (or potential enemy);
We sent out planes to gather intelligence on their radar coverage
Knowledge
That familiarity which is gained by actual experience; practical skill; as, a knowledge of life.
Shipmen that had knowledge of the sea.
Intelligence
New information about specific and timely events;
They awaited news of the outcome
Knowledge
Scope of information; cognizance; notice; as, it has not come to my knowledge.
Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldst take knowledge of me?
Intelligence
The operation of gathering information about an enemy
Knowledge
To acknowledge.
Knowledge
The psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
Common Curiosities
Is knowledge always beneficial?
While knowledge is generally beneficial, misinformation or outdated knowledge can be misleading or harmful.
What is knowledge?
Knowledge is the collection of information, facts, and skills acquired through experience or education.
How does knowledge differ from intelligence?
Knowledge is the information one has, while intelligence is about how effectively one can use that information.
Can intelligence exist without knowledge?
Intelligence is the potential to learn and solve problems, which requires some form of knowledge to be applied, so in practice, they work together.
Can knowledge be improved?
Yes, knowledge can be continuously expanded through education, reading, and experiences.
How is intelligence measured?
Intelligence is often measured through IQ tests and assessments, though these measures are subject to debate regarding their accuracy and bias.
How do knowledge and intelligence contribute to success?
Knowledge provides the foundation, while intelligence allows for the strategic application of that knowledge towards achieving goals.
Are there different types of intelligence?
Yes, theories such as Howard Gardner's propose multiple intelligences, including logical-mathematical, linguistic, musical, and interpersonal, among others.
What is intelligence?
Intelligence is the ability to apply knowledge, solve problems, and adapt to new situations.
How can one increase their knowledge?
Through reading, education, exploration, and engaging in new experiences.
Is intelligence fixed at birth?
While genetic factors play a role in intelligence, it can be developed through learning, healthy living, and mental exercises.
Can one be intelligent without formal education?
Yes, intelligence is not solely dependent on formal education but can be demonstrated through problem-solving and adaptability in various contexts.
Is intelligence the same as wisdom?
No, wisdom involves the insightful application of knowledge and experiences, often with a moral or philosophical dimension, while intelligence is about problem-solving and adaptability.
Does more knowledge mean more intelligence?
Not necessarily. Intelligence is about how one uses knowledge rather than the volume of what one knows.
Can machines have intelligence?
Machines can exhibit forms of artificial intelligence, which involves the simulation of human intelligence processes by computers.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Baptism vs. Confirmation
Next Comparison
Medicine vs. PanaceaAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
