by Hugh M. Lewis

Knowledge systems refer to a broad class of alternative systems, and may be defined as those working frameworks that depend upon and are founded upon the maintenance, articulation and development of a body of knowledge that is delimited in scope and in terms of main subject matter, etc. If we wish to differentiate the human knowledge landscape, we can distinguish between different kinds of knowledge based upon the purposes they serve and the form that they may take. Religious knowledge certainly tends to differ from scientific knowledge, and scientific knowledge can be considered different from artistic or aesthetic knowledge.

A quick functional characterization of knowledge systems might be best gained in terms of the kinds of functions they serve--basic knowledge systems are "common sense" and everyday kinds of knowledge that people utilize to get around and perform largely habitual and routine operational functions. 

Specialized knowledge systems usually require a fairly lengthy amount of learning and training, and refinement with experiential learning that is associated with hands-on involvement, especially associated with fine motor skills, good hand-eye coordination, the ability to perform complex tasks and sets of tasks, critical and analytical decision making and problem solving, and detailed knowledge related to taxonomy and classification of a subject and understanding of the complex relational and behavioral aspects of a subject.

General knowledge systems refer to a level of taxonomic categorization and classification of things into groups, and identification and reference to the group and to the behaviors characteristic of the group or to members of the group. General knowledge refers to knowledge that is attributed to sets, and to the organization of the knowledge landscape and the organization of worldview upon a symbolic and abstracted level of understanding. General knowledge can and usually is associated with what is known as "folk knowledge" or received understanding that is culturally biased within a particular collective worldview.

I refer to advanced knowledge as a relatively sophisticated form of systems based understanding that comprehends both specialized technical forms of knowledge within larger general frameworks, and that also entails the articulation of basic knowledge on a regular, everyday basis. Advanced knowledge is something that is emerging with the information-knowledge revolution. I would claim that it is systems-based knowledge, but in both an analytical and synthetic sense.

General Systems Essays, Vol. I