Is Knowledge Power

I can not sit here and say that knowledge is truly power. What determines that would be the process in which we use that knowledge. It's a known fact that society is less educated than it has been in the past...because there is a faded sense of the educational process. But, knowledge comes in many forms. It is brought to us by our life experiences, whether they are bad or good. It also comes to us from the choices we make during those experiences. We can either choose to use our knowledge for the right reasons...or take the other path - which would result in that knowledge becoming either a power or a weakness. Boil it all down to a persons ability to feel compassion...to have self-pride...and wanting to make a difference in the world.

There are many people in generations past that I could use as an example. Let's start with Edgar A. Poe...the man who was my literary inspiration. He possessed an enormous amount of knowledge. His writings were vast and over the edge...they range from the positive aspects of life to the darkest shadows of the mind. Either way you look at it, the man was a genious. As an author, his knowledge proved to be his biggest power. As a man, that same knowledge led him to his demise...it was his ultimate downfall. Maybe it's a curse of knowing too much and not understanding how to use it in the right way.

Another example I can use is Adolf Hitler...I'm sure you're surprised that I would include him in this. But, think about it from my point of view. He indeed had a warped sense of reality...and beliefs that are considered demonic. Maybe so, but look at the knowledge he possessed and the lengths to which he went to carry out his beliefs. The path he chose was evil and can never be forgiven...it never should be. He used his knowledge in an attempt to gain total power - total control. As with anyone who makes the choices he made...he failed. His knowledge led to a suicidal end. Taking his own life was less torturous than any fate he would have met following his capture...and he knew that. So, his knowledge eventually led to the realization that there was no escaping what he had done. The power that he thought was his quickly proved to be stripped away.

That leads me to believe that anyone who feels their knowledge is power should reconsider that thought. Knowledge is just what it is...knowledge. How we choose to use it will determine the person we morally are. If I could use myself as an example here...maybe you'll understand what I just said. Personally, I have more knowledge than a lot of people...I just choose not to vocalize that. I make my decisions not only using what I know...I use my compassion in those choices. I try to do the right thing based on my personal beliefs...based on how I would like people to perceive me. That is the only way knowledge should be used. It shouldn't be a tool to determine power...rather, a stepping stone to lead into the future. Do not use your knowledge to benefit yourself...use it to improve the person that you currently are.