Theory of Knowledge - Course Companion for Students Marija Uzunova Dang Arvin Singh Uzunov Dang
similar survey led by Dropp et al (2014) forAWashington Post, in the aftermath of thetherevolution and pro-Russian unrestUkrainianCrimea, found that about one in six peopleinable to correctly locate Ukraine on anweremap, with young people providingunlabelledTOK course invites you to ask all sorts ofTheabout how people came to know whatquestionsa question such as: what counts asConsiderThrough history, this question hasknowledge?been answered using a formal checklist ornotdefinition but more often through messyclearfurther a respondent thought Ukraine wasTheits actual location, the more likely theyfromto support military intervention, eitherwereRussia to pose a threat to US interestsbelievingconfident that using force would benefitorsecurity.nationaldifferent perspectives. Folk and Indigenousofthe knowledge of women, andknowledge,knowledge of those who cannot speak athelanguage or write in any language,certainexample, have long been excluded,forand devalued. This is more thandelegitimizedmatter of diversity or inclusion. Knowledgeaa significant role in shaping narrativesplaysguiding decisions that affect, sometimesandthose who are not seen asdisproportionately,I. ScopeI. ScopeFigure 1.2 Can you locate Iran? A Morning Consult/Politico survey (2020) conducted in the United States revealed that 47% of voterssupported the airstrike that killed General Qasem Soleimani, regardless of whether they could identify the Islamic republic on an unlabelledmap, which fewer than 3 in 10 did. Orange dots represent incorrect guesses while green dots represent correct placement.more accurate answers than other age groups.I.3 Knowledge mattersthey claim to know.and unequal negotiations about the validity7
I. ScopeII. PerspectivesTOK we examine the differenceWithinknowledge, belief and opinion, andbetweencriteria we use to distinguish betweenwhatThis discussion looks at when andthem.these differences matter. Start with thewhythree claims.followingHumans are fundamentally self-interested.•Everyone is just trying to live their best life.•Which of the claims would you say is an1.knowledge or belief?opinion,What would be the consequences of2.categorizing one of the claims?wronglyis also the question of significance in yourTherepursuit of knowledge. Do you believeownindividuals have a responsibility to bethatabout the world? If not, whatknowledgeableyou in your pursuit of knowledge?motivatesand wonder are powerful motivatorsCuriosity3. Next, write three statements of your own.What quality does the last statement(b)that the other two do not?have,Is it important for you to maintain a4.between your beliefs, opinionsdistinctionexploration of perspectives in TOK is bolsteredThethe IB mission that states “others, with theirbycan also be right” (www.ibo.org).differences,the scope of TOK discussions, knowledgeWithincontestable. This means that you keep open theisof more than one correct, legitimate orpossibilitysection explores the roles of expertise,Thisand critical evaluation when youhumilitydifferent perspectives in the world.encounteris designed to help you understand yourItand how the perspectives of othersperspective,what you know. It is a broader aim ofinfluencebecome equipped with the tools and•to navigate disagreementattitudes1For discussionThis I knowComplete, in any way that is honest and(a)to you, the following.meaningfulThis I believe: ______________________ .This I think: _______________________ .This I know: ______________________ .• People do not change.and knowledge?I I . P E R S P E C T I V E Stoo, as is a yearning for meaning andpurpose.good answer to the questions you are exploring.the course that you will:8
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I. Scope
II. Perspectives
TOK we examine the difference
Within
knowledge, belief and opinion, and
between
criteria we use to distinguish between
what
This discussion looks at when and
them.
these differences matter. Start with the
why
three claims.
following
Humans are fundamentally self-interested.
•
Everyone is just trying to live their best life.
•
Which of the claims would you say is an
1.
knowledge or belief?
opinion,
What would be the consequences of
2.
categorizing one of the claims?
wrongly
is also the question of significance in your
There
pursuit of knowledge. Do you believe
own
individuals have a responsibility to be
that
about the world? If not, what
knowledgeable
you in your pursuit of knowledge?
motivates
and wonder are powerful motivators
Curiosity
3. Next, write three statements of your own.
What quality does the last statement
(b)
that the other two do not?
have,
Is it important for you to maintain a
4.
between your beliefs, opinions
distinction
exploration of perspectives in TOK is bolstered
The
the IB mission that states “others, with their
by
can also be right” (www.ibo.org).
differences,
the scope of TOK discussions, knowledge
Within
contestable. This means that you keep open the
is
of more than one correct, legitimate or
possibility
section explores the roles of expertise,
This
and critical evaluation when you
humility
different perspectives in the world.
encounter
is designed to help you understand your
It
and how the perspectives of others
perspective,
what you know. It is a broader aim of
influence
become equipped with the tools and
•
to navigate disagreement
attitudes
1
For discussion
This I know
Complete, in any way that is honest and
(a)
to you, the following.
meaningful
This I believe: ______________________ .
This I think: _______________________ .
This I know: ______________________ .
• People do not change.
and knowledge?
I I . P E R S P E C T I V E S
too, as is a yearning for meaning andpurpose.
good answer to the questions you are exploring.
the course that you will:
8
Change language