Theory of Knowledge
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As the title suggests... I got a 12/40 for a renewed IB1 ToK essay (original grade was 18/40), and got warned that if this were my IB2 essay, I'd basically fail ToK. Though this isn't A* work by any stretch of the imagination, and yes, I probably could put more effort into it, I think he judged it completely unfairly as i had full confidence my grade would rise by at least a few marks after improving on the original. Instead it dropped by 6. Main complaint was that i threw claims and arguments around with no base to prove them. (Probably true - but again, I still don't believe it to be 12/40 bad) note: we don't even use a ToK book - he made his own and we use that to go t…
Last reply by FutureIB, -
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I'm about to begin the IB course in a few months time as oppose to the A-level course, after I've finished my GCSE exams in June and I was wondering.....how is the TOK essay structured, how many words would it have to be, and could someone give me examples of what they've done for the TOK essay or ideas for the topics that one could cover? Any form of general advice would be welcome too. Many thanks.
Last reply by nametaken, -
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Not sure if this is a world-wide thing, but in my school we have to write a journal entry each week about knowledge issues related to TOK. Here is mine for this week, would I please be able to get some feedback? It would be great to know how I could improve... I don't mean specific things, although those are good too, I mean generic pieces of advice that I could apply to most of my journal entries Here it is.... ------- TOK Journal #9, Date of Writing: 27/05/10, Topic: How Far Can We Push Ourselves? There has been much speculation about the capacities of the human mind, both about how much of our 'thinking power' we use and about how much of it is potentially avaliable.…
Last reply by ameatypie, -
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Im doing my TOK Presentation in 3 weeks and so far i have a Knowledge issue + a real life situation. My knowledge issue is " How do we know weather Eyewitness testimonies are true or not.. and my real life situation is a Courtcase any ideas on how to tackle this? i have some ideas but i need more so Heeelllllllp me. Bless
Last reply by Isak11, -
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The assignment is to write a response about the relationship between mathematics and writing a novel (creative writing/literature) using TOK. Any ideas? Thanks.
Last reply by sweetnsimple786, -
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Hey, hey IB-ers! I and my friends are going to play with the topic 'Poetry' for our big TOK presentation. I was wondering - does any of you by any chance has any kind of good ideas about a poem we could analyze? Atm we are probably sticking to Shakespeare, but it would be nice if you could suggest something probably better. Ta in advance!
Last reply by Kaneele, -
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I am in need of a topic for my TOK presentation. We can pick anything that we want as long as there is a contemporary issue. This is the second one I am doing. I failed my first one on solar power because I didn't present on a contemporary issue and my teacher is giving us a chance to redo our presentations. Do you have any really interesting topics? Maybe your topic?
Last reply by Tilia, -
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Its about Pope Benedict XVI and how he failed to act against a known pedophile priest, who allegedly abused over 200 deaf children in the deaf children school which he was heading for over 20 years from 1950-74. Some of the abused victims are finally speaking about it but the Vatican are strongly denying it. Heres a link to the article if you have any time to scan trough it. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1260536/Pope-implicated-cover-paedophile-priest-sex-abuse-200-deaf-boys.html -------------------- Im gonna focus on how valid are the claims that defend the pope and how they say he knew about it. But im having a hard time trying to link it to myself p…
Last reply by FutureIB, -
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Hi guys, my presentation is due in 2 weeks, and I didn't come up with any ideas for the presentation entitled 'does social networking drift us away from reality'. If you could just give me bullet points of the possible things I could talk about that would be great. Thanks.
Last reply by Dullister, -
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Hello, I have a 1500 word max essay due in a week. The topic is "Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of using logic as the justification of your knowledge claims." I'm needing a wee bit of help with this one! So far, I've thought of the following points. Strengths: - Allows for an unbiased approach to making claims, instead of an emotionally based one. - Allows for an argument based on correct reasoning. - Deduction: based on the premise, what is said is totally valid - Induction: allows us a high probability - Rational as opposed to emotional - Allows our knowledge to be refined and our understanding to grow Weaknesses: - Logic leads to valid conclusions, not true o…
Last reply by sweetnsimple786, -
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I'm doing my ToK presentation next week, and looking at the role of science in informing ethical decisions. Since science is grounded in reason, and that gives it an apparent authority in our society, we are looking at the extent to which we can rely on science and reasoning to make ethical decisions, which are often highly emotional. Our real life situation is looking at eugenic abortion but I won't go into details. I would like to hear some opinions on the influence of reason and emotion in making decisions, so I can see a few different perspectives. (also looking at whether emotions can be an obstacle to knowledge, whether as human beings we are capable of removing th…
Last reply by i.Better, -
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Hey can someone please help me with the prescribed title #7: How can we recognise when we have made progress in the search for knowledge? Consider two contrasting areas of knowledge. -I have a hard time trying to structure my essay with this prompt. I'm thinking of using Natural Sciences and Art but I'm having trouble writing this essay. Once I begin writing it, I start to go off topic. Please. Can someone give me some suggestions on how to start/structure this prescribed title?
Last reply by Green, -
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Hi guys, My partner and I want to do an oral presentation on sports and/or steroids, but we don't know how to structure a question. Also, areas of knowledge that could be involved would be very helpful. If anyone has any ideas, insights we could use or any type of help would be helpful. Thank you!
Last reply by sweetnsimple786, -
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Hi guys, I need to do my TOK oral presentation very soon. I am thinking about doing it on the topic of either lies or memory but I am not really sure where to start from here...Any suggestions? Maybe for a good knowledge issue? Thanks a lot!
Last reply by sweetnsimple786, -
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I need help with my essay. I chose the topic, "Doubt is the key to knowledge" (Perisan Proverb). To what extent is this true in two areas of knowledge? I chose science and history for my areas of knowledge but I don't know what to talk about????? :) :( :(
Last reply by Sandwich, -
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Hello our school is doing IB for the first year and am having some difficulties outlining this question that was presented to us to work on so we can practice for future real TOK essays. This one is just for practice but I want to understand how to go about it. TOK Question 1 There are many different authorities, including academics, politicians, global organizations and companies, who make knowledge claims. As an experienced TOK student, what criteria do you use to distinguish between knowledge, opinion and propaganda. I have basically started with propaganda and paired it up with each of the following: Academic propaganda Political/Politicians and propaganda Propaganda …
Last reply by Lilly, -
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Hi... I have to give my TOK presentation next week and I would appreciate some thoughts and comments on my presentation plan. I don' really know how to make the topic interesting, I am scared to bore the audience to death. My knowledge issue is 'How do experience and teaching interact by gaining knowledge and which is more effective in order to approach History and Science?' So apparently I chose to connect the Knowledge Issue to History and Science and I thought I could talk about the ways of WoKs in both of them and how they connect. My real life example is based on my little (and very cute) niece who just turned one and is 'discovering' the world. But I extended the r…
Last reply by Green, -
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I would like to do my TOK presentation on the relationship between math and the arts. The problem is that I don't know any knowledge issues that do such a thing. I would first like to talk about math and how it is important in the real world, then move on to math in music, and wrap it up with math in the arts. Is this a good topic to make a presentation out of? What are some knowledge issues you can see in this topic?
Last reply by KyleAdams, -
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Hi everyone! ToK is really strangely taught at our school, and we're supposed to be starting our drafts of our essays. We've been given structures and stuff, and told we needed to find knowledge issues in our topics, but I have no idea how to actually start writing down anything substantial, so advice on how you guys started yours would be much appreciated. Also, all the knowledge issues I think up blow up to be giant discussions in themselves - is there a point where you should stop? Thank you so much!
Last reply by Green, -
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Hello everyone, Some of you may know already that I have been having trouble trying to chooose between Geography and ITGS for IB (I am intending into going into journalism, media and amsscommunication in the near future ). However, right now I am also considering Economics and Businees studies very much. I have already chosen business studies, however I need to make another choice since I am not doing any of the arts and only one science. If any of you did Economics and Business Studies together, how was it for you? I know alot of my classmates (we are now during IGCSE) have chosen Economics and Business studies together, and they have said that the pressure is unbearabl…
Last reply by Caustica, -
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After spending quite a while thinking of ideas for my TOK presentation, I thought that I might be able to do it on the general argument that we shouldn't (or should - I'm not coming to a conclusion just yet!) treat the elderly, smokers, heavy drinkers etc. It was in a newspaper article recently and I found it pretty thought provoking. I wouldn't exactly come to a definite answer in my presentation. Instead I'm thinking of more exploring the implications of this issue - ie. where do we draw the line? Who counts as eligible for treatment? What would become of those people who we effectively let die or remain ill? I was just wondering what people thought of this - I've been…
Last reply by Jennifer, -
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My TOK presentation is on the Divine Proportion. I have mostly finished but I was looking for some comment as to what I may include that I have left out. I want to do the best I can, so please point out everything you notice. I start by defining the Divine Proportion and then giving a brief history of its origin. I then show a brief relationship between the Fibonacci Sequence and the Divine Proportion. Then I proceed to show some examples of the Divine Proportion in the different areas of knowledge. I don't talk at all about the ways of knowing, and I also don't know what to talk about for the implications or what I should use for discussion questions. Any ideas? Thanks
Last reply by KyleAdams, -
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Hey IB community I'm having some problems with my TOK essay. Well..not so much the essay but the teacher. He doesn't seem to know a lot about TOK, we step in class and talk about random things and we dont have a proper TOK book which worries me quite a lot. I need to hand in my first final TOK essay by the end of this month... Is it possible to provide me with any tips as to how the essay layout should be? I would really appreciate any kind of information. Many thanks and good luck with your studies!
Last reply by msfg, -
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Two months ago I was sick when I was supposed to do my tok presentation, and now apparantly I dont get my IB diploma until I do it in november 2010. However I made a very good tok essay, is it true that because I missed the tok presentation I dont get my diploma???? I think my headmaster is mistaken here? This is a quoted from an email I got from her: "Philippe was not present for his TOK Presentation, which is a part of his Internal Assessment for TOK. This means that he will not qualify for the IB Diploma this May 2010, and will have to do his TOK presentation for the November 2010 exam session. I have had a lengthy discussion with him about this, and he understands the…
Last reply by Sandwich, -
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My possible TOK presentation topics are standards on beauty(maybe how it depend on culture)or... How has the media and modern culture change the way young girls in our current society view their self image? Which on is better? Some of the real life examples that I thought about are plastic surgeries, child beauty pagents, barbies and eating disorders. I am so confused on how to set my presentation. I searched some video on youtube & there are plenty of videos on child beauty pagents. I have no idea what to do for the presentation. Please help!
Last reply by Slex13, -
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Hello all, I was wondering if there was an ideal number of knowledge issues to include within your ToK essay- as I am aware that there are a vast majority of points associated with a clear and concise argument based around the knowledge issues established within the paper. I currently address three (two are in culmination) in depth Thank you Pathos
Last reply by Morgan Claverie, -
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hey guyss so i have to write this HUGEEEE essay on perseption but i have noooo idea what to talk about!! what do you think i should do? i neeed help!!! lol
Last reply by beatricedoingtok, -
WEll i though of it today!! and when i was researching i found this website so i was like!! YAY!! so what do you think and please tell me if you have claims and counter claims for this topic!! PLease HELP!!!
Last reply by Sandwich, -
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My partner and I were thinking about a presentation based upon the validity of Wikipedia. Are linking question would be something like: "To what extent can Wikipedia can be considered a viable resource?" So, we would focus on the aspect of the researcher looking at it as a potential source. I figured we would contemplate the knowledge issue of Authority, and wondering about how much authority can be given to Wikipedia. Any thoughts? Peter
Last reply by 9d9, -
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okay, so i know the essay is 40 points max and the presentation is 20 points max, so 60 points all together. but what do you need to get out of 60 an A, B, C, etc?
Last reply by 9d9, -
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I've chosen 'Drawing the line between self defense and killing' as my topic for this presentation (all students came up with their own topics if anyone wondered) and I was wondering how to approach/elaborate on my knowledge issues. My plans so far are to thoroughly investigate what possibilities emotion and reason would yield if I were to use them create an explanation for this topic. Sorry I have a lack of confidence in ToK due to my recent essay and I've been questioning if anything I've been doing is right lately. Any constructive criticism is appreciated!
Last reply by 9d9, -
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I'm still pretty confused, and my TOK teacher speaks in riddles.
Last reply by 9d9, -
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How should i make my presentation to sound more interesting? if it was about human cloaning or.. toxic ingredients that are in snacks.. what should i talk about? how should i present this presentation?
Last reply by 9d9, -
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My TOK teacher is funny and nice, but he repeats himself all the time - I've heard him saying 'I would like you to include 3 items in your journal per week' and 'examiners hate cliches' like 20 times already and it's only 5 weeks into IB1. So far he let us read a chapter from the textbook and we haven't gone beyond the first page of it in class. We only have one and a half hour of TOK each week, which also include EE and CAS talks. I am a little worried that we'll not cover all the stuff in time. Should I get the course companion or something? Is this usual for a TOK teacher? I wish he could just hurry up.
Last reply by 9d9, -
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I was just wondering, if including quotes in the TOK essay a must or not. I handed in my TOK essay last week i have chosen title 10, my supervisor helped me through it and deleted all my previous quotes she said they were irrelevant. so i re-wrote it and without any quotes, she said its okay and not a must. because my title is about scientific and historical explanations, and does not really require any quotes. Is it a MUST ?
Last reply by 9d9, -
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Does anyone know what the grade boundaries are for if you want to get a D, C, B and A overall?
Last reply by TNT, -
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So, what did you guys talking about in your TOK Presentations? Me and my partner talked about the Twilight Saga and how the media affects peoples perceptions of it and how it's sending the youth, men, and women the wrong messages.
Last reply by ADH, -
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In TOK class, we recently discussed this quote: "There can be no knowledge without emotion...until we have felt the force of the knowledge, it is not ours." (adapted from Arnold Bennett) Could somebody please explain this vision of the relationship between knowledge and emotion? I'm pretty confused...
Last reply by ameatypie, -
ToK - How does the way in which we express ourselves influence our understanding of others?
by fat+dog- 2 replies
- 2.2k views
How does the way in which we express ourselves influence our understanding of others? Expressing ourselves: to set forth the opinions, feelings, etc., of (oneself) Understanding: personal interpretation to perceive the meaning of; grasp the idea of; comprehend Influence: the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions,etc., of others: Ways in which we express ourselves: Art, speaking, actions, sports… I'm trying to talk about the Arts. This includes painting, sculpturing, performing music, composing music, photography, etc. Would incorporating the ways of knowing be something like: Art: throu…
Last reply by Charizard, -
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Sorry to add to the list of threads about TOK presentation titles, but I have a mock run-through of my presentation in a few weeks time and I'm hesitating about what I should do with the title I've been thinking of doing it on. I wanted to do something like 'how does emotion affect our reasoning in decision making?' but I think it may be too general... what do you think? As a back-up (in case the title above IS too general), I was thinking of focusing on ethical decisions, with a title like 'how does emotion affect our ethical/moral reasoning?' but I feel that there isn't enough to talk about in this topic... EDIT: A while ago, I also thought about doing one on music, wit…
Last reply by Stereoisomer, -
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Our teacher assigned us an essay that I think has been assigned to other ToK classes before. It's the one that says 'Do questions like “why should we be moral?” or “why shouldn’t I be selfish?” have answers like some questions in other areas of knowledge? Does having a definite answer make a question more or less important?' He probably changed the wording a bit, but there it is anyway. It's the same word count as the ToK paper and so far I'm at about 1100 words. I mainly need some critique. For brevity, I'll just outline the general essay format and content. I started it by explaining how I generally align myself with Kant's categorical imperative and explained why. The…
Last reply by thatguy, -
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I am very confused when it comes to defining truth, does anyone have any good link to articles or a philosopher that defines truth? Thanks, A
Last reply by Charizard, -
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hello i am struggling with the TOK essay...lol my essay topic is "we see and understand things not as they are but as we are" discuss this claim in relation to at least 2 ways of knowing i'm thinking of using perception, emotion, and reason... does anyone have any suggestions or advice? plz help...... =( :'( and is this a good thesis statement? The way we view things differs from what they really are because when we try to understand them, our perception, reason and emotion take place without our notice. thank you soooo much
Last reply by Linja, -
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My partner and I want to do our ToK presentation on the world's view of homosexuality, and we kind of wanted to do interviews of several people concerning their ideas of homosexuality. Would these interviews be allowed? We're not sure because it'd be other people talking for a good bit of the time and not my partner and me. Advice?
Last reply by ameatypie, -
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I recently finished my TOK essay and my teacher told me I would get a bad grade on it. I want to get an A and she said it is about a 28/40 right now. Is it possible for anyone on this site to look over it and help me with suggestions? I didn't hardly get any from my teacher. All she told me to fix was grammatical stuff. Thanks
Last reply by KyleAdams, -
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I am writing an essay for TOK on this question: "Does reason have to play a part in all 'good explanations'?" I am planning to write an essay saying that reason does NOT have to play a part in good explanations, and I have thought of a few examples: religion/the creation of man, the existence of souls, etc. However, I would love to hear your opinions on this topic! Do you think that reason has to play a part in all good explanations? Why?
Last reply by Charizard, -
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Apparently our TOK essay grade takes up 2/3 of the mark and the presentation 1/3. So does that mean what we get in our essay is basically our TOK mark?
Last reply by ameatypie, -
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I am doing my TOK presentation about Euthanasia....Is "Is Euthanasia right or wrong?" a good knowledge issue?
Last reply by ameatypie, -
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Heeey! I have the topic 'we see and understand things as we are but not as they are' Can someone pleaase help me with examples for other senses like hearling tasting? I just found somethings about seeing. Thaaank you soo much !
Last reply by Sandwich, -
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Hi guys, for my TOK presentation I'm doing "what is real" and my ToK teacher wanted a presentation plan. I prepared it and turned it. I started with distinguishing between true and real. I said that real is something that is genuine and actual as in: The only way for most people to see a real lion is to go to a zoo. And that true refers to something completely accurate: It's true that he did all the work by himself, I was with him all the time. My presentation is kind of long and I cant loose too much time distingishing between true and real but my tacher said she didnt like how I stated the difference between both terms. What do you think is the problem with it and how …
Last reply by dans77,
