Knowledge and truth
At first glance, “truth” and “knowledge” seem interchangeable. After all, both point us towards understanding reality and making sense of our world. Yet, as David Deutsch and Karl Popper emphasise, truth is a property of propositions (either a statement corresponds to reality or not), whereas knowledge is our best explanatory framework at a given time—forever open to criticism and revision.
To some, this distinction feels academic, but we see it as fundamental to how we plan, create, and share information. Our purpose is to distil complexity and foster more accurate maps of reality. Understanding why knowledge ≠ truth is central to that mission.
Why Knowledge Isn’t Truth
“If you treat current explanations as final truth, you shut down improvement.”
Truth is binary: a statement about reality is true or false—and its truth value never changes. In contrast, knowledge is our current best explanation, continually refined through criticism, testing, and practical outcomes. Over centuries, humanity believed the Sun orbited the Earth—profound knowledge at the time—yet it was false. The truth didn’t change; our knowledge did.
Knowledge Grows; Truth Stands Still
While truth is static, knowledge is dynamic. We don’t wait for a cosmic stamp of “true” before we act; rather, we adopt theories (knowledge) that solve our urgent problems and stand up to scrutiny. That’s how science and progress move forward—each new discovery refines or even replaces an older explanation.
This fallibilist approach is echoed throughout our content: constant testing, iterating, and critiquing. We embrace the idea that knowledge is an ever-evolving, best-guess approximation of reality. Nothing is above scrutiny.
Conjecture and Refutation: Our Path to Improvement
Critical rationalists like Popper argue all human knowledge begins as a conjecture—an idea or hypothesis. It survives only if it withstands relentless attempts to refute it. This is how we make sense of everything from gravitational theories to marketing strategies.
Formulate a hypothesis (e.g., a story-driven video asset will reduce acquisition costs).
Test it in reality (launch the campaign; measure results).
Refine or replace it based on outcomes (optimise or pivot).
At Rogue Divisions, this iterative loop underpins everything we do, from brand storytelling to deeper original content. Each campaign, each piece of original content, each new approach to media—all are tested until proven otherwise.
Embracing Uncertainty to Build Better Media
Treating knowledge as provisional, rather than final truth, isn’t just an intellectual exercise; it’s tactically powerful. When we know our ideas might be wrong, we:
Stay open to better methods or data.
Reduce dogmatic blind spots and illusions that can lead to wasted effort.
Iterate faster because we see feedback—good or bad—as vital rather than threatening.
In a fragmented information landscape, fallibilism is a differentiator. It allows us to pivot quickly in pursuit of what genuinely works—whether the goal is to produce an efficient story-driven campaign or to unearth insights about the future of media technology.
Why It Matters for You
Better Decisions: Seeing knowledge as tentative spares you from fixating on the “one right answer.” Instead, you stay nimble and open-minded.
Shared Progress: In marketing, product development, or personal growth, the best ideas often emerge from recognising uncertainty and seeking relentless improvement.
Enhanced Collaboration: In a high-trust culture, you can challenge each other’s theories without accusing each other of being “wrong.” This fosters a creative environment rather than a defensive one.
Conclusion
The distinction between knowledge and truth is far from trivial. By internalising that all knowledge is open to critique and further evolution, we equip ourselves—and our audiences—to make more flexible, resilient choices in a fast-changing world.
At Rogue Divisions, we strive to turn that recognition into practical outcomes: more insightful media, more effective campaigns, and ultimately, more capacity for each of us to adapt to (and shape) the future.
If that resonates with your mission, let’s connect. We’d love to collaborate on building knowledge-driven strategies that embrace uncertainty and continuously improve. Because when you’re free to keep moving beyond today’s “best guess,” that’s when truly transformative ideas emerge.
About Rogue Divisions
Rogue Divisions empowers brands and startups by merging cutting-edge storytelling with innovative strategies to amplify narratives and drive meaningful engagement. Specialising in impactful content marketing and innovative, marketing-driven capital raising strategies, we deliver media that not only captivates audiences but also fosters understanding and inspires action. Leveraging our expertise in marketing, psychology, and design, we provide a comprehensive, hassle-free service. Our technology-driven approach ensures not just quality content but measurable results, helping you achieve your goals—whether it’s brand elevation, audience growth, or capital raising. We are redefining the future of media production—offering a simple, cost-effective solution that scales with your ambitions.
Contact
Sage Dillon
Founder & Creative Director
sage@roguedivisions.com
General Enquires
contact@roguedivisions.com
0800 009 6613