This document discusses and compares local knowledge and universal knowledge. Local knowledge is knowledge developed by a particular community over time based on experiences and lessons passed down through generations. It includes knowledge about the local environment and culture. Local knowledge can be common, shared among many but not all, or specialized knowledge held by few. Universal knowledge refers to facts and concepts accepted globally as true, such as scientific principles. It is based on extensive research and experience. The document outlines the key differences between local knowledge, which can vary between communities, and universal knowledge, which represents established truths.

1. Different Facets of Knowledge
and Relationship between Local
Knowledge and Universal
Knowledge

2. • Local Knowledge
• Information or knowledge limited to a state or community or to a
fixed area is called
local knowledge. It is the knowledge that people in a given community
has developed over time and continues to develop. Local knowledge is
practical common sense based on teachings and experiences passed on
from generation-to-generation. Local knowledge is also known as
traditional knowledge or indigenous knowledge. Local knowledge
covers the knowledge of environment such as snow, ice, weather,
resources, etc. It is divided into 3 kinds as common knowledge, shared
knowledge, and specialised knowledge.

3. • 1. Common knowledge is held by most people in a community. For
example, how to cook the local staple food.
• 2. Shared knowledge is shared by many people, but not by all community
members. For example, villagers who raise livestock will know more about
basic animal husbandry than those without livestock.
• 3. Specialised knowledge is held by only few people, who might have
special training or apprenticeship. For example, only few villagers become
healers, midwives or blacksmiths. This type of knowledge is related to age,
gender, occupation, division of labour within family, community, socio-
economic status, experience, environment, etc. This has significant
implications for research and development work.

4. • Characteristics of Local Knowledge
• Local knowledge is -
• • Based on individual and community experiences,
• • Tested over centuries, and
• • Based on local culture and environment.
• • It includes community practices, institutions, relationship, and rituals;
• • It is dynamic and changing;
• • It is a collection of facts, concepts, beliefs, and perceptions that people have
• about the environment around them;
• • It applies to knowledge possessed by rural, urban, migrants, etc.
• • It is based on tribal, original inhabitants, and experiences of elder generations

5. • It is observed, experimented, and experienced by people;
• • It reflects people’s behaviours, and the ability of problem solving in
a specific situation;
• • It includes processes whereby knowledge is generated, stored,
applied, and transmitted to others;
• • It is holistic, and cannot be compartmentalised. It is rooted in the
spiritual healing, culture, and language of the people, and is a way of
life; and
• • It is dynamic and constantly changing as it adapts to a changing
environment

6. • Universal Knowledge
• Knowledge accepted by all the people of the world and is common to
all is referred to as universal knowledge.
• Universal knowledge is a new approach, and is called as meta-science.
It provides developmental answers to all questions. It extends to
surrounding factors and influence of time. It refers to cumulative and
complex bodies of knowledge, know-how, practices, based.

7. on science that are accepted and developed by people with extended
research, inventions, experiences, and interactions with the natural
environment. This universal knowledge streams from nowhere but it is
within the being-ness that this pure untouched knowledge arises in its
clearest form. For example, clouds bring rain and burning fuel provides
energy.

8. • Characteristics of Universal Knowledge
• • It is related to knowledge and thought;
• • It changes behaviour among human beings;
• • It grows with time;
• • It is a collection of facts and phenomena; and
• • It helps to understand the originality of existence

9. • There are a few differences between local knowledge and universal
knowledge.
• Local knowledge
• 1. Is related to local region
• 2. Has different opinions
• 3. Is document- based
• 4. Is based on local knowledge
• experience, environment, and
• rituals.
• 5. Does not change the behaviour of
• human beings

10. • Universal knowledge
• 1. Is the same for all
• 2. Has a single opinion
• 3. Is truth-based
• 4. Is based on knowledge and thought
• 5. Changes the behaviour among human beings