Download ToK Intro Powerpoint

Theory of Knowledge
An Introduction
How do I know…?
Language
…but…
How reliable is the information?
Perception
…but…
How reliable are our senses?
Reason
…but…
Are we being logical? How strong are the
arguments / explanations we use?
Emotion
…but…
Are my feelings rational? Can I trust
them to tell me the truth?
What the map
represents is
influenced
by…
spatial orientation
and projection
what is placed in the
centre
conceptual symbols
the interests of the
map-maker
…which affects…
perception,
perspective,
point of view
weighting, bias,
significance
content, cultural
values, precision
interpretation
In the curriculum,
the same can be
said for…
Literature (what the author allows you
to see)
Human Sciences (what the survey
sample allows you to see)
History (what the selection of sources
allows you to see )
Economics (What the statistics allow
you to see)
Literature (Eurocentrism)
Natural Sciences (Molecular?
Genetic?)
Mathematics (null hypothesis)
The Arts (symbolism)
Literature (selection of detail, themes)
Arithmetic (a shorthand for words,
removes ambiguity)
History (revisionism / Holocaust
denial)
Economics (how the statistics are
interpreted and used)
“The map is not the territory”
(Alfred Korzybski)
“The curriculum is not the world
but an interpretation.”
The BIG TOK
QUESTION:
What do we know for
certain, and how do
we know it?
Activity:
On sheet 1, write down four
things you are certain of.
Begin each one with “I
know…”
Now for each one, write
down how you know…
Activity: How do you know?
Mathematics
logic
Human Sciences
faith
logic
Natural Sciences
logic
observation
History
logic
memory
practice
observation
observation
memory
Ethics
logic
memory
conscience
empathy
The Arts
belief
instinct
introspection
logic
memory
empathy
acquaintance
The framework for Tok
Ways of Knowing
Reason
Language
Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Ethics
Emotion
Perception
The Arts
Human Sciences
History
Areas of Knowledge
Problems of knowledge
 Our knowledge is determined in part by the
way we are made – our minds and bodies.
 Our knowledge, and our ways of gaining it,
change over time.
 Different cultures, peoples and individuals
see, think about and explain the world
differently.
TOK is about exploring and solving
problems of knowledge in and
beyond the curriculum.
Our purpose in TOK is to ask how we know
the things we think we know. Our aim is
to uncover and question the means by
which we “know.”
“Nothing is certain in Physics and everything is
decided by probability”…Right or wrong…?
What is meant by the scientific
method? What is the role of
reasoning in Physics?
TOK & Physics
Why is it that the physical
universe seems to be
amenable to description in
mathematical terms?
Is the scientific method a
product unique to western
culture, or is it universal?
In what ways can language be used to mislead?
Does the language you speak
determine the way that you
think?
Is it possible to translate between
languages, and express exactly the
same thing?
TOK and Language
How do we explain things in
our different subjects? Do we
always explain things in the
same way?
Can any description ever
be objective?
ASSESSMENT
11th Grade:
•2 mini-essays (500-700 words)
•1 long essay (1,000 words)
•Other reading and written
assignments
•Presentations
•Year-wide deadlines
•Progress reports
•Attendance
•Grades & reports
12th Grade:
•Final TOK essay
•Final Presentation
The TOK Journal
•will be a record of everything you have
learned
•will be a vital source of information for
your final essays and presentations
•will help you make connections between
TOK and your subjects
•will help you organize and reflect on your
ideas and experiences
TOK – Tips for Success
•Ask “How do I know…?”, whenever you think
you are certain of something
•Always look out for good examples of problems
of knowledge in your subjects
•Make connections between subjects and the way we
produce knowledge in them. How are they different or
similar?
•Use your journal constantly, to make notes, write down
experiences, describe dreams, paste cuttings, draw
diagrams….
Acknowledgement
 Most of this PPT came from the following
site:
http://www.ibtok.com/tok_presentation/index.htm