Before you begin to read this edition of Celebration of Youth, it is important to understand that although my column is designed to celebrate youth by highlighting positive aspects, I believe the topic that follows is timely and needs to be mentioned.

Epistemology is just one of many words that affect our everyday lives but is not used in mainstream conversation. The ending “ology” always connotes the study of, or philosophy of, a topic. The prefix “episte,” is from the Greek language and signifies knowledge. Therefore epistemology can be defined as a branch of philosophy that studies the nature, origin, methods and limits of human knowledge. Knowledge is acquired in many different ways as human beings assimilate information and accommodate new schemas distinctly. Sir Francis Bacon, an English philosopher most famous for his studies in inductive reasoning which led to a scientific revolution in the early 1600’s, can be easily recognized by one of his many phrases, “knowledge is power.”

Knowledge and intelligence is a gift that must not be abused. In my 6 years of teaching both high school and university I can indubitably say that teachers are powerful individuals. It always shocked me how the smallest, most insignificant things I said or did could have an everlasting effect on my students. For this reason, as parents, teachers, and members of the community, we must be aware of how dangerous or positive our actions and words can be. Throughout this small island, people consistently find ways to stand out among the rest. Because of this, I have come into contact with many people who, through extensive education, are quite intellectual as obtaining an education gives one a level of stature that can only be attained through hard work and diligence. Yet, it is all too obvious that their level of intellectuality is sometimes used to hurt people by making others feel inferior or less intelligent. Lack of education breeds ignorance in every facet and where there is ignorance there is fear. Children must be taught to use knowledge for the good of mankind and to better themselves as human beings.

Even within the realm of youth, certain young people attempt to distinguish themselves from their peers by using knowledge negatively. This attitude and behaviour is not inherent within the human condition. It is learned from adults. Besides being one of the most recognized artists of the modern age, Leonardo da Vinci was also intellectually superior to most people during his time. People with superior intellect all agree that the more information one acquires, the more one realizes that there is too much to become an authority on everything. He said, “anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using his intelligence; he is just using his memory.” Malcolm Forbes was the publisher of the famous Forbes Magazine, a recognized business publication. He also is quoted as saying, “the dumbest people I know are the ones who know it all.”

Let us treat others with respect for the knowledge they have or do not have. If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it. Knowledge is a power that is not to be abused, especially against our youth who by lack of experience both intellectually and emotionally cannot defend themselves. We must teach the youth to respect knowledge and use it for the betterment of mankind, not their own egos.

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