Theory of Knowledge
Talk about Theory of Knowledge.
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2,043 topics in this forum
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- 22 replies
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Skip to useful links: Video Summary of TOK (workshop) To every confused soul out there who is yet to start their first year in IB and fear the nice philosophical subject of TOK. This here thread is me explaining to you what exactly this subject is:). What is TOK? The Theory of knowledge is a minor branch of Philosophy which, when learned, enables one to think about and evaluate the knowledge that we gain rather than just accept it as "truth". In English: we learn how to not be suckers and believe everything we're told . Why go through the pain and agony of learning it? Well basically, because the IBO says so But really, after my IB experience I've realized the…
Last reply by Sarah Egan, -
- 11 replies
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Hello noob TOKers This thread contains links to the discussion topics for TOK titles. Please consult the following list and skip to the list of titles for the year you are interested in, and then click on the link to find the discussion. If there is no discussion topics listed for that title, please have a quick look at the TOK board and, if one really doesn't exist, post a new one. Thanks! November 2014 May 2014 November 2013">November 2013 May 2013 November 2012 Nov11/May12 Nov10/May11 Nov09/May10 Nov08/May09 Nov07/May08 Nov06/May07 Note: Until November 2012, 12 titles were released each year to be used in both November and May sessions. From November 2012 on…
Last reply by cricketcrazynerd, -
- 17 replies
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Skip to the correct section by clicking the links below: 1. How to choose your essay topic: the things to keep in mind by Ishaan 2. Basic guide to writing the essay by Julie 3. 5 Things to do Before you Finish your TOK Essay
Last reply by _emmma_, -
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Skip to these useful links: 1. ToK Presentation Guide by Keel 2. How to pick your TOK presentation title by Sandwich 3. Past TOK Presentations - what people chose ToK Presentation Guide Knowledge Issues 'Knowledge issue' i.e. issues about knowledge. It would be appropriate here to consider what ToK is all about. Many naturally assume that anything philosophically based is ToK. Understandable, but wrong. ToK is based around three main questions: What is knowledge? How is knowledge acquired? How do we know what we know? In layman’s terms, a knowledge issue is a very general question which aims to explore the problems of kn…
Last reply by BLucky, -
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Last reply by gudevibes, -
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hi everyone I have my TOK knowledge issue (Is reason purely objective and universal, or does it vary across cultures?), accepted by the teacher, but I have some problems in finding some real life scenarios. please can someone help me?
Last reply by Sandwich, -
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Hey guys, I could use your help for my tok presentation I am doing it on the mozart effect but i am kind of lost in the ways i could talk about it. I know that I will include a few researches done on it, and do a few real life examples but i was think about showing nature or nurture? what do you guys think?
Last reply by multiverse, -
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Post your views. Im in need for good points that will actually make the supervisor go 'Whoaa, this is incredible.' Thank you.
Last reply by The Filipino Limner, -
‘Through different methods of justification, we can reach conclusions in ethics that are as well-supported as those provided in mathematics.’ To what extent would you agree? Hey guys, this is the question I have to white an essay about for tomorrow. Could you please help me out with some ideas? Could really use some help. Thank you!
Last reply by Shaks, -
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So I know that each student has the opportunity to earn 3 points from the E.E. and TOK. I do have the chart that tells you how many points you get according to your grade in each one. But I don't understand the one for TOK, I was predicted a 38 on my essay, which is A, and got a 14 on my mock presentation, which is a C. I'm still missing my real presentation, but let's imagine I get a 14. So, for the final grade is it a B? Or because I did got a high A on my essay, can it be an A? And what is the minimum (if I do get a 38 on my essay) that I have to have in my presentation to get an A on the overall TOK grade?
Last reply by TykeDragon, -
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Well everyone knows the common saying "Don't judge a book by its cover" I am planning to use this in my TOK essay, as an example of how this is intuition used badly because often judgements are wrong etc. Could anyone help to articulate this properly. Using TOK diction etc. Thank you
Last reply by Arrowhead, -
- 3 replies
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Hi all, i've been given an assignment by the teacher to find the KI (knowledge issue) and i've come up with "To what extent is habit stronger than reason in the areas of ethics and the arts?" My teacher says the "arts" as an AOK is not very appropriate. Also, i've got no idea how to start my essay/research! Can anyone help? Much appreciated and Happy New Year!
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I was thinking of doing "How do we know that literature is good?" for my TOK presentation. My real life situation would be that my English teacher thinks that Shakespeare is great but I don't. Any advice or tips for that?
Last reply by dessskris, -
Got an 200 words homework from the book. But I dont understand any part of the TOK concepts and even the question itself. Here's the question "How does science seek to overcome individual or group variability in perception in pursuit of truth?" Can anyone first tell me what is individual or group variability and give me a direction to go please? Or I'll be compeletely doomed
Last reply by Keel, -
Hi guys! I'm almost finished my TOK presentation and I want your opinions. My title of my presentation is: "How far is from reality we can say that human beings and computers know in the same way and have self awareness?" The knowledge issue had been extracted by an article from IBM blog. The title in one of technological blog's article is: "IBM's cognitive computing chip functions like a human brain, heralds our demise" right here . Do you think that is a strong knowledge issue? I can give a link to my work only through PMs. Thanks and have a nice day!
Last reply by johnmcmorrow, -
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Last reply by aldld, -
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This is my Tok presentation topic, "Is racism culturally conditioned or instinctive?", as said in the title. I'm not sure how I should approach this and in what manner should I present it (poster, powerpoint, video, hand outs? etc) I was thinking at first to tackle the issue of: is there such thing as a race? and connecting that racism. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.
Last reply by Carsarefood, -
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This is my practice essay title for my first IB year. I understood what this question is basically asking. But what AOK's can be used here is something I've been racking my brains for. I suppose Math is one area but what specifically? In natural sciences? What factors ascertain the difficulty of the knowledge produced? What does "produced with difficulty" mean? What can the claim and counterclaim be for this title? Maybe i actually haven't understood what this question is asking for... Help please!
Last reply by chiara_12, -
"Knowledge is nothing more than a systematic organisation of facts" Discuss with two aok's
by 12345mono- 5 replies
- 16.5k views
So I opted for this title for tok essay, and I pretty much narrowed it down to this The two aok's Mathematics Arts Now I planned to start of with defining what knowledge is and what facts are? Now, the reason I decided to talk about these two aok's is because I want to have a balanced argument as math on one hand is to a greater extent is facts ( pure mathematics would be my counter-claim) On the other hand art is so much more than just facts ( I have to decide my counter claim) Now, after thinking and going through some sites I thought of writing about mona lisa Imagine if knowledge was really about facts then the knowledge of mona lisa would be that it was painted b…
Last reply by lupekudi, -
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The definition of a knowledge issue itself is still really gloomy for both essays and presentations for me. I can come up with propositions and answer the questions on essays pretty easily but i fall behind because i don't present any important "knowledge issues." Can anyone either define, explain or show me an example of a knowledge issue?
Last reply by Max, -
“That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.” (Christopher Hitchens). Do you agree?
Last reply by HelenaJade, -
May 2013 "The possession of knowledge carries an ethical responsibility." Evaluate this claim.
by davis0621- 17 replies
- 26.5k views
I'm working on the TOK title paper, and I wanted to see what others think of this title. Title #3: "The possession of knowledge carries an ethical responsibility." Evaluate this claim.No one in my class is doing this title and I need some help. I want to affirm the claim, and say that knowing something carries a responsibility to act to either prevent harm, uphold principles of integrity (in a case of lying or cheating), and/or to spread wellness. I have a definition in mind for ethical responsibility, but not for "Possession of knowledge" yet. I want to take this in the direction of Ethics and Human Sciences. With a focus in emotion and reason. Any help?
Last reply by Sally3, -
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For my ToK presentation, I have decided to explore the question above ^^^ My real life situation will most likely be a court case since there are other ways of knowing involved: Reason: via evidence, answer from witness Language: how lawyers aim to persuade (yet this evokes emotion) Perception: as the jury is made up of different people with different personalities However, I'm not sure whether this would be TOO FOCUSED on my real life situation instead of the question itself & I'm not quite sure how to best present my idea & structure my presentation... && are there any situations where emotions do NOT have a role in helping us make decisions?
Last reply by -._._.-, -
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I am doing my presentation on the knowledge issue "What do optical illusions tell us about truth and sense perception?". I wanted to start with pavement art as my real life situation and then extract the knowledge issue out of it. Afterwards I think I should talk about truth and optical illusions in tok language as well as pointing out that reason relies on sense perception in certain situations. My conclusion would be that our brain is not perfect and our sense perception can be tricked so our point of view what is true is tricked as well. Any advice or tips? That would help a lot!
Last reply by bweissheimer, -
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How would you tackle the following prescribed ToK title? "When should we trust our senses to give us truth?" I'm quite stuck with what examples should be used. I'm a scientific kind of person and can only think of examples in the areas of chemistry and physics. Which other examples could I use? Presently, I believe that our senses will always give us truth, but I am also having trouble in finding counter-claims. I'm not sure how to start the essay and I'm also afraid I will end up answering whether we should use our senses, instead of when. How can I avoid this slip? I would appreciate any help. Thanks
Last reply by m711, -
Discussion "Where the senses fail us, reason must step in." - Galileo Galilei To what extent do you agree with this quote?
by Guest faridaelhefni- 2 replies
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how do i answer this in an essay? i need ideas and help
Last reply by under-cover, -
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This is the RLS for my presentation (interesting, huh?), which is due in six days. I promise you that I'm not cramming at the last minute, but I still need help on coming up with possible "derivative/sub-knowledge questions". My ultimate KQ is how reasoning can endure in the face of culture and tradition. I've taken notes on both sides of the situation as well as my own, and separated each argument under "reasoning", "emotion/ethics", and "culture". I'm also painstakingly trying to not make this a debate about ethics, since I've heard that that's the quickest way to bomb any ToK assessment. Am I on the right track as far as taking notes and breaking stuff down is conce…
Last reply by Sharmaine the First, -
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What do I have to do to fulfil the "with reference to two areas of knowledge" part of a prescribed essay title in TOK?
Last reply by Jaysun, -
My knowledge question that I come up is "To what extent is the urge for pattern justified by the study of arts and economics?". Do you think this is a constructive knowledge question? Please give me some feedback. Thank you so much for your attention!
Last reply by tangedX, -
I have chosen this topic to write this essay on. “It is only knowledge produced with difficulty that we truly value.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? I understand it to a certain extent, but I am having difficulty going in depth about it, especially when it comes the WOK and AOK. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I also have to fill out this TOK Essay Planning Frame. Can someone look over it and help me out. I have attached the file. Your thoughts on this question is welcomed. What do you have to say about this Question? Thank you! ToK Essay Planning 2016.docx
Last reply by Nomenclature, -
“That which is accepted as knowledge today is sometimes discarded tomorrow.” Consider knowledge issues raised by this statement in two areas of knowledge. That is the topic that I chose for my T.O.K. Essay, and the Areas of Knowledge that I chose are Science and History. I have tons of examples of science like some theories that are discarded over time but I couldn't think of an example for History. Can you help me come up with examples please? Thank you.
Last reply by Maks123456, -
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I have started brainstorming topics for my TOK presentation, and I am currently trying to decide over "Euthanasia" or something along the lines of "To what extent does advertising effect our perception and should we worried about its consequences for the future?". I want to incorporate perception into both of these topics (since my teacher is anti-ethics), but I am having a hard time grasping the knowledge issue Perception. I was wondering if someone could (breifly is fine) explain to me what exactly it is? And also, tell me which of my topics I would have an easier time researching/drafting a TOK presentation from it. THANKS!
Last reply by Sandwich, -
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For my ToK presentation, I have come up with a fairly good issue relating to feminism and whether it is or ever has been important. But I'm still having problems coming up with a really good Knowledge Issue. Here are some ideas: To what extent to knowledge sources (such as the media) shape our appreciation and understanding of feminism? How is our understanding of feminism shaped by history? How does our understanding of history shape our perception of modern-day feminism? Please give any improvements or suggestions for new ones!! Any comments welcome
Last reply by SurajM, -
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Hello I'm doing my tok essay on: “The task of history is the discovering of the constant and universal principles of human nature.” To what extent are history and one other area of knowledge successful in this task? The quotation essentially implies (as I see it) that the job of history and human sciences (my selected AOK) is to find qualities that are present in all human beings. But, I'm confused with how to go about the topic in an essay format -- should I choose a couple of human nature characteristics like 'lust for power' and 'survival instincts' and just focus on how these are discovered by human nature and history... or should I have lots of different examples…
Last reply by Chio1012, -
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Hi, I like the look of title 3, but I'm not too sure how to go about it. I was first considering to discuss how emotion can influence our reasoning and relate it to the arts where it can influence our interpretation of a piece. Then give a counter example with mathematics, saying that there is (usually) only one solution in mathematics and so there it can not affect our reasoning but perhaps it can influence our interpretation of the result. Would I need to address how emotion works and whether it works well and how reason works? My initial approach is to just see how emotion influences reasoning in two AOKs but I'm not too sure if that actually address the question. Does…
Last reply by Mjr-Kos, -
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If you have spare time read up on some of these articles, they will surely help you! (I have also attached a .pdf with some more relevant information) General guidlines google doc - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nNB-QXKhFB1DDvXEC2i5LIDAiq875qZXuxqWM8LcciM/edit 1. “In gaining knowledge, each area of knowledge uses a network of ways of knowing.†Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of Knowledge. Analysis on the question - https://toktrump.wordpress.com/2015/10/05/essay-title-1-may-2016-gaining-knowledge-networks-of-ideas/Analysis on the question - https://istok2013.wordpress.com/assessment/essay-2015-16/essay-1/Visual outline for the essay - https…
Last reply by kristinamontinola, -
OK, so I decided to do this title. I know that I have to compare ethics to another area of knowledge (math, science, etc.) So what I ask for is..how do I analyze this? In my practice essays, I score super low (to the point where I cry) because of things like not "analyzing it" or putting examples and not showing how it supports my claim. PLEASE HELP. I'm really yucky with ToK essays and I need some pointers on how to score high on this thing! My diploma depends on it!! xP
Last reply by dessskris, -
In the prescribed title #1 Knowledge is generated through the interaction of critical and creative thinking. Evaluate this statement in two areas of knowledge: I am stating that critical thinking depends primarily on logical processes, while creative thinking puts greater emphasis on multiple results that can be possible, without considering the process of thought with much detail. Is that right or should I give it some more thought? Also, what areas could I use, I've thought real hard and can't find areas where to use examples.
Last reply by feba, -
Hi everyone i needed help to think of a few supporting points and evidence for my ToK final essay. The question i chose to do my paper on is: "Knowledge is generated through the interaction of critical and creative thinking. Evaluate this statement in two areas of knowledge." i know the question seems easy enough and i already got part of my intro done, but im really bad when it comes to essays and ToK is not my best subject. All replys will be helpful! Thx a lot.
Last reply by marangecillo, -
Nov10/May11 #10 "A model is a simplified representation of some aspect of the world... search for knowledge?" 1 2
by Lance H- 28 replies
- 17.4k views
Hi there, I have decided to do the above topic for my TOK essay. I just want to run a few ideas past you to see if they will be ok. Semi structure: Define Search for Knowledge Newton/Einstein (Science) Newton old Eintsein new Newton low speeds Einstein everything Geographical Models (Social Science) Boserup/Malthus DTM Changed to suit newly evolving patterns Time dependant English Rules (Language) Always exceptions So diverse hard to have simplified model Maps (Language/Social Science anyone know???) Simplfied but not precise To have full precise 1:1 scale needed Christianity (Religion) BIBLE <- Controversial Way to 'perfect' live life - not real always Comm…
Last reply by suggaplum, -
I guess I am one of the few people who are doing this title. My AOKs are obviously Ethics and Mathematics. From my understanding of the prescribed title, I guess it means that there are a few different methods that can justify one thing (a statement, a theory, a concept) in ethics&math, and the conclusion that we can reach in ethics is as well supported as a conclusion in math. I think conclusions in math are very well supported as it is not biased nor vague and mathematical proofs are very valid especially if there are more than one proofs. However in ethics even if we have so many proofs, that conclusion can still be refuted or rejected or be invalid. My question is…
Last reply by Alejandro Pita, -
I have to start planning my ToK essay so i just wanted to kind of get a rough idea on each one i found some threads on most of them except the one i'm actually thinking of doing. which is: #2 'Compare and contrast knowledge which can be expressed in words/ symbols with knowledge that cannot be expressed in this way. Consider CAS and one or more areas of knowledge' But i'm not too sure cause i think that it has the potential of going down the line of an english essay as opposed to ToK... any tips?
Last reply by Chris yo, -
Nov10/May11 #2 How important are the opinions of experts in the search of knowledge? 1 2
by Glory seeker- 23 replies
- 18.2k views
for whom that chose to do the second prescribed TOK ESSAY Title: How important are the opinions of experts in the search of knowledge? we can certainly do a brain stroming here, what do you guys think ? what is the knowledge issue here? which areas of knowledge we can link to ? Cheers IB Bros!
Last reply by Artoth, -
- 1 reply
- 897 views
Okay peeps I need a bit of some guidance. Think u can help? "Only seeing general patterns can give us knowledge. Only seeing particular examples can give us understanding." To what extent do u agree with these two assertions? I need a knowledge issue. Any suggestions?
Last reply by Award Winning Boss, -
Using history and at least one other area of knowledge,examine the claim that it is possible to attain knowledge despite problems of bias and selection. Are there any ideas for this essay topic? The AOKs I was planning on using along with history were Art and Science
Last reply by Eastcoast93, -
Hi I am planning to start writing my TOK Essay on this topic (#3), and I thought a discussion or a little brainstorming would probably give me and everyone else who has chosen this topic a relatively good start
Last reply by pieee, -
- 2 replies
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Hello! As you might suggest from the title I am writing my TOK essay on the fourth question. I hade submitted a very well TOK essay, which is however lacking on my personal views. I am aware of when we should trust our intuitions but when we should discard them is questionable. What are your experiences? When did you discard an explanations that was intuitively appealing in real life and how did you deal with it. Best wishes! Niggi Green
Last reply by niggigreen, -
- 19 replies
- 15.6k views
what are some explanations that seem intuitively appealing? i need a few ideas to get me going... much appreciated
Last reply by blacksheep, -
Nov11/May12 #5 'What is it about theories in the human sciences and natural sciences that makes them convincing?' 1 2
by Eydie- 30 replies
- 26.4k views
Any ideas would be appreciated! When it says 'human science', does it mean the humanity type areas, such as history, psychology, sociology etc? Do people think this is a good topic to write on in general?
Last reply by Mahya, -
Hello, I'm starting to work on my ToK essay and I decided to choose #5 since I'm not really interested in the other topics. I'm having trouble understanding this title and coming up with knowledge issues to discuss in this essay.
Last reply by Chixxie,