Misknow

To 'misknow' is to possess knowledge that is incorrect, inaccurate, or not in accordance with factual reality. It encompasses a state of understanding or believing something that is, in fact, untrue, either due to a lack of complete or proper information, misunderstanding, or the acceptance of misinformation. This can occur in various domains, from everyday occurrences to highly specialized fields, and may lead to flawed judgments, decisions, or actions. 'Misknowing' is a consequence of imperfect cognitive processing, biases, or the unreliable nature of the information being accessed. It highlights the fallibility of human knowledge and the need for critical evaluation and continuous learning. It is important to differentiate this from ignorance as ignorance is the lack of knowledge, while misknowing is the presence of incorrect knowledge.

Misknow meaning with examples

• The historian, after reviewing recently discovered primary sources, realized he had 'misknowed' the motivations behind the king's actions for decades. His previous interpretations, based on secondary sources, proved to be misleading, and he needed to revise his book. The research brought on a deep sense of humility that came with realizing just how wrong he'd been.
• Many people 'misknow' the actual calorie counts of popular fast-food items. Misinformation and the lack of clear labeling lead them to overestimate or underestimate how the meals would affect their weight goals. Public health campaigns often try to correct these widespread misknowings, in order to promote healthier dietary habits.
• During the trial, the jury 'misknowed' the defendant's character, misconstruing evidence presented and falling victim to circumstantial inferences. Their preconceived notions about the defendant caused a miscarriage of justice. The lawyer struggled to help the jury break out of their distorted reality.
• The scientist, when trying to explain climate change, discovered her audience 'misknew' the basics of greenhouse effect and its relationship to global warming. The lecture needed to start from fundamentals, correcting common misconceptions before moving on to more complex topics. The misknowing was widespread and needed to be carefully addressed.