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

I. Scope
has been great concern, especially in
There
years, that people ignore facts and dismiss
recent
1. To what extent do you agree that this is
Chapter 1, we introduced the counterclaim
In
people are not ignoring “the facts”; they do
that
accept them as facts in the first place and
not
to believe a different set of facts. Facts
choose
to have become a signal for identity and
appear
solidarity.
political
mass leaders seize the power to t reality to
Before
lies, their propaganda is marked by its extreme
their
for facts … for in their opinion fact depends
contempt
on the power of man who can fabricate it.
entirely
is often said that anything can be political. The
It
people choose to wear, the music they
clothes
the kind of language they use, the food
enjoy,
eat, and especially the food they do not
they
Who can legitimately establish what
2.
facts are and who can legitimately
the
Is it important for at least some knowledge
4.
be non-contestable?
to
practice, consider and critically explore
For
what extent universal human rights are
to
Can you think of any other
non-contestable.
facts”? Aren’t all facts universal?
“universal
have Meatless Mondays and all-gender
though:
been politicized, or were eating
bathrooms
every day and having gender-segregated
meat
in public spaces already political
bathrooms
What aspects of life have been
statements?
depoliticized?
boundaries of politics are difficult to draw.
The
of our choices, actions and claims are
Many
on assumptions and values that are
based
and therefore fall within the domain
contestable,
politics. Arguably, this is the case whether
of
not we are aware of our assumptions and
or
or not our actions are intentionally
whether
political.
2
For discussion
Let’s agree on the facts
disputethem?
3. Is there any knowledge that is beyond
evidence when it contradicts their beliefs.
dispute?
thecase?
(Arendt 1951)
I.1 Is everything political?
eat, are all discussed as political acts. Consider
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