Theory of Knowledge Theory of Knowledge IntroductionIntroduction

Mr. Smullen

IB Hexagon

Nature of the SubjectNature of the Subject

• The TOK challenges students and their teachers The TOK challenges students and their teachers to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and areas of knowledge, and to consider the and areas of knowledge, and to consider the role which knowledge plays in a global society. role which knowledge plays in a global society.

• It encourages students to become aware of It encourages students to become aware of themselves as thinkers, to become aware of the themselves as thinkers, to become aware of the complexity of knowledge, and to recognize the complexity of knowledge, and to recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected world.interconnected world.

Nature of the Subject

• The TOK is composed almost entirely of The TOK is composed almost entirely of questions.questions.

• The most central of these questions is ‘How do I, or how do we, know that a given assertion is true, or a given judgement is well grounded?’

Consider History

• The Aztec dominated large parts of Mesoamerica in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries

• Historical artifacts are silent; they tell us nothing

• It is we that interpret a meaning onto them • Whatever affects these interpretations will also

affect any knowledge claims being made

The prevalent view of the dagger is that it was commonly used by Aztecs for human sacrifice.

Consider Science

• How do we know what the universe is like?

Hubble’s Greatest Discoveries

• Galaxies Evolution

• Speed the Universe is Traveling

• Age of the Universe

• Black Hole Formation

• The Construction of Newly Forming Planets

How do we know what the How do we know what the universe is like?universe is like?

• Have we discovered for ourselves?• How does science answer the questions about

the origin of the universe? • What came before the big bang?• How can science ever hope to give us the

answers?

The aims of the TOK course1. make connections between a critical approach to the construction of knowledge, the academic disciplines and the wider world

2. develop an awareness of how individuals and communities construct knowledge and how this is critically examined

3. develop an interest in the diversity and richness of cultural perspectives and an awareness of personal

and ideological assumptions

4. critically reflect on their own beliefs and assumptions, leading to more thoughtful, responsible and purposeful lives5. understand that knowledge brings responsibility which leads to commitment and action.

Nature of the Subject

• The course is made up of four broad categories:

–Shared and Personal Knowledge–Ways of Knowing–Areas of Knowledge –Linking Questions.

The Knower and Knowing

• Nature of Knowing

• Knowers and Sources of Knowledge

• Justification of Knowledge Claims

WAYS OF KNOWING• Sense PerceptionSense Perception

– Nature of Perception– Limitations of Perception

• LanguageLanguage– Nature of Language– Language and Knowledge– Functions of Language– Language and Culture

WAYS OF KNOWING• ReasonReason

– Nature of Reason– Reason and Knowledge– Strengths and Weaknesses of Reason

• EmotionEmotion– Nature of Emotion– Emotion and Knowledge

• Imagination is sometimes viewed in a broader way as being associated with creativity, problem-solving and originality

• Faith The term “faith” is most frequently used to refer specifically to religious faith, but can also be used in a secular sense as a synonym for trust.

• Intuition is sometimes described as immediate cognition, or knowledge which is immediately evident without prior inference, evidence or justification

• Memory most of the knowledge that individuals have is in the form of memory and therefore how we retain information and how past events and experiences are reconstructed is an important aspect of how personal knowledge is formed.

Areas of Knowledge

• MathematicsMathematicsfounded on a set universally accepted definitions and basic assumptions. It proceeds using deductive reasoning to prove theorems or mathematical truths. These have a degree of certainty unmatched by any other area of knowledge.

Areas of Knowledge

• Natural SciencesNatural SciencesSeek to discover laws of nature in the natural world. In an attempt to produce a system of knowledge that is independent of human agency. Whether this is indeed possible is a matter of debate.

Areas of Knowledge• Human SciencesHuman Sciences

In simple terms, the human sciences study the reality of being human. More specifically,

the human sciences study the social, cultural and biological aspects of human existence. A fundamental difference between human sciences and natural sciences is in the interpretation of the word “science”. The human sciences might be classified as science because they use the scientific method to test the validity and reliability of hypotheses

Areas of Knowledge

• HistoryHistoryStudies the recorded past. It raises knowledge questions such as whether it is possible to talk meaningfully about a historical fact and what such a fact might be, or how far we can speak with certainty about anything in the past.

Areas of Knowledge

• The ArtsThe ArtsIs a collective term that encompasses the creative productions of humans and encompasses the visual arts, the performing arts and the literary arts. The arts explore the experience and reality of being human and are an essential element of culture.

Areas of Knowledge

EthicsEthicsOne thing often said to distinguish humans from other animals is morality. A key question in ethical

discussions in TOK is therefore whether we can really know whether something is moral.

Areas of Knowledge

Religious knowledge systemsOffer answers to fundamental questions about the meaning and purpose of human life. This area of knowledge incorporates a diverse range of different beliefs and systems.

Areas of Knowledge

Indigenous knowledge systemsExplores local knowledge unique to a particular culture or society. The term usually refers to the knowledge constructed by a particular group of people such as the Namaqua people of

Southern Africa, the Secoya people of Ecuador and Peru, the Ryukyuan people of Japan and the Wopkaimin people of Papua New Guinea

Linking Questions

Belief Certainty Culture

Evidence ExplanationInterpretation

Intuition Technology Truth

Values

TOK Points

• Points awarded for:

Part 1 Essay on a Prescribed Title (67%)

Part 2 Oral Presentation (33%)

TOK PointsThe band descriptors are:

9-10 Work of an excellent standard

7-8 Work of a good standard

5-6 Work of a satisfactory standard

3-4 Work of a basic standard

1-2 Work of an elementary standard.

TOK and the Extended Essay

• A candidate who, for example, writes a satisfactory Extended Essay and whose performance in Theory of Knowledge is judged to be good will be awarded 1 point,

TOK and the Extended Essay

• while a candidate who writes a mediocre Extended Essay and whose performance in Theory of Knowledge is judged to be excellent will be awarded 2 points.

TOK and the Extended Essay

• A candidate who fails to submit a TOK essay, or who fails to make a presentation, will be awarded N for TOK, will score no points, and will not be awarded a Diploma.

Assessment Outline

• The assessment model in Theory of Knowledge (TOK) comprises two components, both of which should be completed within the 100 hours designated for the course:

• External Assessment (20 points)Prescribed Title 1200–1600 words essay

(10 points)Oral Presentation (approximately 10 minutes)

(10 points)