georgia-a Posted September 4, 2014 Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 Hey guys,I just saw the tok essay prescribed titles and thought to share in case someone hasn't seen them yet. What do you think of this year's questions? Do you like/dislike any in particular? I can't choose from any myself. They all seem confusing and absurd... 1.There is no such thing as a neutral question. Evaluate this statement with reference to two areasof knowledge. 2. “There are only two ways in which humankind can produce knowledge: through passiveobservation or through active experiment.†To what extent do you agree with this statement? 3. “There is no reason why we cannot link facts and theories across disciplines and create a commongroundwork of explanation.†To what extent do you agree with this statement? 4. With reference to two areas of knowledge discuss the way in which shared knowledge can shapepersonal knowledge. 5. “Ways of knowing are a check on our instinctive judgments.†To what extent do you agree withthis statement? 6. “The whole point of knowledge is to produce both meaning and purpose in our personal lives.â€To what extent do you agree with this statement? http://www.theoryofknowledge.net/tok-essay/may-2015-tok-essay-titles/ 2 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBfreakingout! Posted September 4, 2014 Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 I have to say, some of those questions would be really interesting to discuss. Too bad I don't do TOK anymore. Personally, if I had to write an essay, I would probably go with Q-3. It is quite a strong question as it says quite firmly "there is NO reason". To start with, I'd explore the kinds of assumptions made in different areas of knowledge, and how that might make it harder to move facts/theories around. I'm not really liking the word "Fact" because you could probably go on forever arguing over what is a fact and what isn't. Q- 2 would be really interesting as well, especially looking at Literature (as an art) and whether that counts as passive observation or active experimenting. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ak18 Posted September 4, 2014 Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 I agree with IBfreakingout! Question 3 is definitely an interesting question to pursue. Depending on how you go about it, you can either agree with the 'no reason' or you can disagree with it. But either way, you'd be researching different AOKs to assess your evaluation. I also liked question 1, since we ourselves ask questions, and we never really stop to think whether they are neutral; since most questions are asked to evoke a response for one side or the other. The question gives you the opportunity to explore this across different AOKs. But in the end, its also what you're most comfortable answering and researching for. Good luck 2 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IctEcon Posted September 4, 2014 Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 to be quite honest, as i'm doing my IB in May 2015 I am nervous, as I - as of now- do not have a clue of what to do with these questions at all. It might just be the stress getting to me, so we'll see how it goes the next few days. 1 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPT Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 I've put my initial thoughts about each of these questions at this link. I've just briefly written my first interpretation of the question, and suggested a possible way of answering it. This may be of some help to IctEcon and others. 3 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPT Posted September 12, 2014 Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 I've just posted my thoughts on essay title No. 5 on my blog. It may be a useful starting point for those writing this essay. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethiedrama101 Posted October 2, 2014 Report Share Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) I'm really interested in question 6. If I do it I think I may go down the path of art and social sciences maybe even throw in a little natural science and religion as supporting examples and RLS. Edited October 2, 2014 by bethiedrama101 1 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPT Posted October 7, 2014 Report Share Posted October 7, 2014 I've now finished my thoughts on each May 2015 ToK Essay titles. They're up on my blog, here. 6 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvri Posted December 2, 2014 Report Share Posted December 2, 2014 I've now finished my thoughts on each May 2015 ToK Essay titles. They're up on my blog, here. awesome. Are you a teacher ? Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
msg Posted December 2, 2014 Report Share Posted December 2, 2014 Please help me with topic2 for my essay title. is it possible to gain knowledge through intuition other than passive observation and active experimentation Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klauu Posted December 2, 2014 Report Share Posted December 2, 2014 I like question 2.. However, it is trickier than it looks like.. 1 Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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