6.+TOK+Essay

=TOK Essay Preparation=

2012 Graduating class topics:

 * 1) Knowledge is generated through the interaction of critical and creative thinking. Evaluate this statement in two areas of knowledge.
 * 2) Compare and contrast knowledge which can be expressed in words/symbols with knowledge that cannot be expressed in this way. Consider CAS and one or more areas of knowledge.
 * 3) Using history and at least one other area of knowledge, examine the claim that it is possible to attain knowledge despite problems of bias and selection.
 * 4) When should we discard explanations that are intuitively appealing?
 * 5) **What is it about theories in the human sciences and natural sciences that makes them convincing?**
 * 6) ‘It is more important to discover new ways of thinking about what is already known than to discover new data or facts’. To what extent would you agree with this claim?
 * 7) ‘The vocabulary we have does more than communicate our knowledge; it shapes what we can know’. Evaluate this claim with reference to different areas of knowledge.
 * 8) Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of using faith as a basis for knowledge in religion and in one area of knowledge from the ToK diagram.
 * 9) As an IB student, how has your learning of literature and science contributed to your understanding of individuals and societies?
 * 10) ‘Through different methods of justification, we can reach conclusions in ethics that are as well-supported as those provided in mathematics.’ To what extent would you agree?

=What similarities or differences are there between theories in HS and NS that makes them convincing or not convincing?=
 * Rephrase Question:**


 * Arguments:**


 * __Natural Science is Convincing:__**
 * - Objective**
 * - Generally from Authority**
 * - Hard to disprove**
 * - Lack of equipment and knowledge**
 * - Practical. Science is everywhere.**


 * __Human Science is not as convincing:__**
 * - Partially Subjective, requires assumptions and personal evaluation**
 * - Relies on sources that can be unreliable (history)**
 * - There will be Bias (emotional)**

=**Rephrase question:**=

=**How does faith in religion alter people's emotions to affect their understanding of knowledge**=


 * Religion dictates: Everything in the holy text is correct, you don't question it.**


 * Debatable Topics:**
 * - Co-Habitation**
 * - Abortion**
 * - Role of women**
 * - The banned (Islam): Pork - Alcohol**


 * Fallacies:**
 * - Observational Selection**
 * - Reluctance to spin more than theory**
 * - Argument from Authority**
 * - Accepting different Authority**

=**ToK Presentation Topics:**=


 * - Marriage & Co-Habitation**


 * Different views on the topic between different religions, denominations and cultures.**

Secular vs Non-Secular views

Islam - Catholicism - Protestantism - Atheism (U.S)

Islam - No intimate physical contact before marriage Catholicism - Sex is only for procreation, so no contraceptives Protestantism - Co-Habitation is fine, but no promiscuity Secular - No rules.