What is learned knowledge?

Learned knowledge, as discussed by Shane Parrish, refers to the knowledge we acquire from others' experiences rather than through our own direct experiences. It helps us deal with problems without having to experience them personally, which is crucial given that it's impossible to experience everything in one's lifetime that might be necessary for making informed decisions. Learned knowledge is particularly useful when the consequences of failure are comparatively low, allowing us to rely on the abstracted experiences and lessons learned by others 1 .

In contrast, earned knowledge is information acquired through direct, personal experience. It involves a deeper engagement and often cannot be fully taught; one has to "do" the task to really understand it. Shane Parrish discusses this in the context of making important decisions, suggesting that for high-cost decisions, where the consequences of failure are great, reliance should shift more towards earned knowledge 1 .