Knowledge vs. Belief — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 18, 2024
Knowledge is justified true information acquired through evidence or experience, while belief is a conviction held without necessarily requiring proof.
Difference Between Knowledge and Belief
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Knowledge is rooted in facts, evidence, and justified true beliefs. It involves understanding and is often verifiable through logical reasoning or empirical data. Belief, however, is more subjective and personal. It does not necessarily require empirical evidence or proof and can be based on faith, intuition, or personal experiences.
While knowledge seeks to establish what is true based on evidence and logic, belief is concerned with personal or collective acceptance of certain ideas or truths, often without requiring empirical verification. Knowledge is typically regarded as more stable and reliable, while beliefs can be more fluid and influenced by personal or cultural factors.
In practice, knowledge and belief can intersect; for example, one might believe in scientific theories based on their knowledge of scientific methods and evidence. However, the core difference lies in the foundation: knowledge is evidence-based and verifiable, while belief is faith-based and subjective.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Information and skills acquired through experience or education, supported by evidence and facts
Acceptance that something exists or is true, often without empirical evidence
Basis
Facts, evidence, justified true beliefs
Faith, intuition, personal conviction
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Nature
Objective and verifiable
Subjective and personal
Verification
Can be proven or disproven
Not necessarily verifiable
Example
Knowledge of gravity through scientific experiments
Belief in a higher power based on faith
Compare with Definitions
Knowledge
Theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.
Engineers apply their knowledge to solve complex problems.
Belief
Faith or trust in a person, idea, or concept.
He has a strong belief in the values of honesty and integrity.
Knowledge
Justified true belief supported by evidence.
Scientific knowledge is based on rigorous testing and validation.
Belief
A conviction held without the need for empirical evidence.
Many people hold a belief in an afterlife based on their religious faith.
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.
Belief
A belief is an attitude that something is the case, or that some proposition about the world is true. In epistemology, philosophers use the term "belief" to refer to attitudes about the world which can be either true or false.
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
Belief
The mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in another
My belief in you is as strong as ever.
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
Belief
Mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something
His explanation of what happened defies belief.
Knowledge
Sexual intercourse.
Belief
Something believed or accepted as true, especially a particular tenet or a body of tenets accepted by a group of persons.
Knowledge
The state or fact of knowing
Humans naturally aspire to knowledge.
Belief
Mental acceptance of a claim as true.
It's my belief that the thief is somebody known to us.
Knowledge
Familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained through experience or study
Has great knowledge of these parts.
Has only limited knowledge of chemistry.
Belief
Faith or trust in the reality of something; often based upon one's own reasoning, trust in a claim, desire of actuality, and/or evidence considered.
My belief is that there is a bear in the woods. Bill said he saw one.
Based on this data, it is our belief that X does not occur.
Knowledge
The sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned
The extraordinary knowledge housed in the library.
Belief
(countable) Something believed.
The ancient people have a belief in many deities.
Knowledge
(Archaic) Carnal knowledge.
Belief
(uncountable) The quality or state of believing.
My belief that it will rain tomorrow is strong.
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.
Belief
(uncountable) Religious faith.
She often said it was her belief that carried her through the hard times.
Knowledge
Awareness of a particular fact or situation; a state of having been informed or made aware of something.
Belief
(in the plural) One's religious or moral convictions.
I can't do that. It's against my beliefs.
Knowledge
Intellectual understanding; the state of appreciating truth or information.
Knowledge consists in recognizing the difference between good and bad decisions.
Belief
Assent to a proposition or affirmation, or the acceptance of a fact, opinion, or assertion as real or true, without immediate personal knowledge; reliance upon word or testimony; partial or full assurance without positive knowledge or absolute certainty; persuasion; conviction; confidence; as, belief of a witness; the belief of our senses.
Belief admits of all degrees, from the slightest suspicion to the fullest assurance.
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.
Belief
A persuasion of the truths of religion; faith.
No man can attain [to] belief by the bare contemplation of heaven and earth.
Knowledge
(philosophical) Justified true belief
Belief
The thing believed; the object of belief.
Superstitious prophecies are not only the belief of fools, but the talk sometimes of wise men.
Knowledge
Sexual intimacy or intercourse (now usually in phrase carnal knowledge).
Belief
A tenet, or the body of tenets, held by the advocates of any class of views; doctrine; creed.
In the heat of persecution to which Christian belief was subject upon its first promulgation.
Knowledge
(obsolete) Information or intelligence about something; notice.
Belief
Any cognitive content held as true
Knowledge
The total of what is known; all information and products of learning.
His library contained the accumulated knowledge of the Greeks and Romans.
Belief
A vague idea in which some confidence is placed;
His impression of her was favorable
What are your feelings about the crisis?
It strengthened my belief in his sincerity
I had a feeling that she was lying
Knowledge
(countable) Something that can be known; a branch of learning; a piece of information; a science.
Belief
Acceptance that something exists or is true, especially without proof.
Her belief in ghosts comes from personal experiences, not scientific evidence.
Knowledge
(obsolete) Acknowledgement.
Belief
An opinion or conviction.
His belief that hard work leads to success drives his actions.
Knowledge
(obsolete) Notice, awareness.
Belief
An acceptance of the truth or existence of something.
Despite the lack of evidence, his belief in UFOs remains unshaken.
Knowledge
The deep familiarity with certain routes and places of interest required by taxicab drivers working in London, England.
Knowledge
(obsolete) To confess as true; to acknowledge.
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.
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.
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.
Knowledge
That familiarity which is gained by actual experience; practical skill; as, a knowledge of life.
Shipmen that had knowledge of the sea.
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?
Knowledge
Sexual intercourse; - usually preceded by carnal; same as carnal knowledge.
Knowledge
To acknowledge.
Knowledge
The psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
Knowledge
Information and skills acquired through experience or education.
Her knowledge of biology is extensive, thanks to her years of study.
Knowledge
Understanding of facts and principles.
He has a deep knowledge of classical music theory.
Knowledge
Awareness or familiarity gained by experience.
The travel guide’s knowledge of the city made the tour informative.
Common Curiosities
Is knowledge always based on evidence?
Yes, knowledge is typically based on evidence and logical reasoning.
Is knowledge verifiable?
Yes, knowledge can often be verified through empirical data or logical reasoning.
What is knowledge?
Knowledge is information and skills acquired through experience, education, and research, supported by evidence and facts.
Can beliefs be proven?
Beliefs are not necessarily verifiable and often do not require proof.
What is an example of knowledge?
e.g., Knowledge of the laws of physics through scientific research and experiments.
Can knowledge change?
Yes, knowledge can change with new evidence or better understanding.
Can beliefs change?
Yes, beliefs can change, often influenced by personal experiences or new information.
What is belief?
Belief is the acceptance that something exists or is true, often without empirical evidence and based on personal conviction or faith.
What is an example of belief?
e.g., Belief in a religious doctrine based on faith.
Can beliefs be based on evidence?
Beliefs can be based on evidence, but they do not require it and can also be based on faith or personal experiences.
Are beliefs influenced by culture?
Yes, beliefs can be significantly influenced by cultural, religious, and personal factors.
Is belief subjective?
Yes, belief is subjective and personal.
Is knowledge objective?
Knowledge is generally considered objective, as it is based on evidence and facts.
Do knowledge and belief intersect?
Yes, they can intersect; for example, one may believe in scientific principles based on their knowledge.
Is knowledge stable?
Knowledge is typically more stable and reliable, as it is based on verifiable evidence.
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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.
