Theory of Knowledge - Course Companion for Students Marija Uzunova Dang Arvin Singh Uzunov Dang

III. Methods and tools
is the scope for experimentation in the
What
sciences? Psychology is somewhat
human
among the human sciences in this
unique
An often heard lament about the lack
regard.
predictive power of disciplines such as
of
and political science is based on the
economics
or impossibility of doing controlled
difficulty
Is there special value in knowledge
experiments.
helps to accurately predict the outcomes of
that
and reforms?
policies
there is value in experiments, as
Certainly
and behavioural economics
psychology
shown, with the success of randomized
have
trials. However, one challenge with
controlled
evidence is that it is liable to
experimental
and can provide a false sense
misinterpretation
certainty. Section I discussed the fallout
of
economics’ overreliance on mathematical
of
and physics envy. This section has
models
the problems of knowledge that
highlighted
arise from sampling, such as the WEIRD
can
(see III.1). Next we consider the limitations
bias
experiments, and experimental results, in
of
human sciences. But first, a cautionary tale
the
terms: Hari Addiction
Search
YouTube
the linked video, Johann Hari
In
to show that everything we know about
tries
is wrong. The topic of fallibility—the
addiction
capacity to be wrong, and the realization
human
being wrong—is a key issue in TOK. It is a
of
knowledge to develop and self-correct,
wayfor
watching the video on the original
After
studies done on caged rats as well
addiction
the 1970s “rat park” experiments, consider
as
following questions.
the
What were the shortfalls of the rat cage
1.
and how do we protect against
studies,
At what point do you think scientists
2.
enough data to make a policy
have
Which criteria should the knowledge
3.
by scientists satisfy?
produced
How can scientists protect against being
4.
and recommending something
wrong
Alexander’s “rat park” study helped
Bruce
pivot the narrative of addiction away from
to
moral and mental failings of addicts, and
the
addiction as an adaptation to social
towards
The study went unnoticed for many
dislocation.
whilst governments around the world
years,
to pursue a “war on drugs”. Criticism
continued
this expensive, aggressive and ultimately
of
policy, which often involves
unsuccessful
has grown and so has interest in
incarceration,
study. There is now a widespread—
Alexander’s
not universal—understanding that more
though
is needed for people struggling with
compassion
addiction.
discarding the important impact of
Without
park study and wildly popular TED
therat
should acknowledge that efforts to
talk,we
the experimental results have been
replicate
There are also significant concerns
inconclusive.
the experiment. One of the design flaws,
about
example, seems to be that in the original
for
male and female rats were separated,
studies
in the rat park study they were
whereas
together. The main question, though,
mixed
8
III.5 Experimentation in the human
For discussion and reflection
sciences
Knowing about and acting on
addiction
repeating them in the future?
recommendation?
harmful?
5. What is the role of the public?
about rats, drugs and parks.
but it can also shake our confidence.
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