Depending on the context, the definition of a scholar can vary. A very simple way of describing a scholar is a person who has studied a subject for a long time and knows a lot about it : an intelligent and well-educated person who knows a particular subject very well. The scholar is a fount of knowledge on a topic.
In the specific cases of academic or religious scholars, the context narrows the definition, that is specific parameters and measures are used to indicate when scholarly status is achieved (for example a cleric title or a degree – e.g. PhD) beyond the simple definition above.
Knowledge
I have always enjoyed the simple quadrant model of knowledge
From an individual perspective, for any subject, there are the known aspects (Q1 and Q3), things others know but you don’t (Q2),and the totally unknown – no one knows (Q4).
Arguably for a scholar the majority of information about a topic is known (because they have studied it). This correlates to Q1 and Q3. For a scholar, quadrants Q2 and Q4 should very small (the scholar knows everything so it is unlikely you know something they don’t or that nobody knows)
A Lifelong Search
A true scholar believes the knowledge only others know (Q2) or no one knows (Q4) is always present and they are engaged in a life long search to uncover it.
Who Cares?
Scholars, whether in the areas of research, education or religion are of value to society if they are willing (and capable) of sharing their knowledge.
Everyone can classify their personal knowledge quadrant on any topic. A scholar (with information in Q2) can share with you by moving their knowledge to Q1 or Q3 and benefiting not only you personally but all of society.
False Knowledge
The caveat both about sharing and receiving scholarly information is the need to validate. Not everything shared with you is correct or accurate. Of course you could always do a google search on the internet to find out if the knowledge being shared with you was accurate (joking).
The Final Conceit
As this blog is sharing scholarly information I hav,e which you may not have (that is my quadrant 2) I guess I am a kind of a scholar.