WAYS OF KNOWING How do you know?
KNOWLEDGE CLAIM A Knowledge claim (KC) are statement that make assertions to truth. These claims are about knowledge NOT subject specific content.
KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS Knowledge questions are questions about the nature of knowledge
AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE Also known as AoK How does each AoK support knowledge? What subject matter does the AoK cover There are 8 AoKs in ToK We need to know at least 6
Mathematics Natural sciences Human sciences arts AOK History Ethics Religious knowledge systems Indigenous knowledge systems
Language Memory Intuition Faith WE NEED TO STUDY AT LEAST FOUR Sense Perception Emotion Reason imagination
SAMPLE ESSAY QUESTIONS There is no such thing as a neutral question. Evaluate this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge. (May 2015) “There are only two ways in which humankind can produce knowledge: through passive observation or through active experiment.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? (May 2015)
LANGUAGE Pass on most knowledge and values Create new knowledge New research shows the language we speak may shape how we think.
EMOTION Psychologists distinguish between 6 emotions: happiness, sadness, disgust, anger, fear, and surprise. Emotions can both help and hinder knowledge Are emotions innate or learned?
REASON Working things out logically Reason has different meanings, depending on who you ask In ToK, you need to understand and critically evaluate logical fallacies
SENSE PERCEPTION Without our senses, we would not know that the outside world exists. Vital way of knowing Can be deceptive and or inaccurate.
MEMORY Vital to who we are What we think we know, we remember Can be unreliable Influences how we gain new knowledge
IMAGINATION Creativity Problem solving Useful in the Arts, Relgion, politcs, and Indigenous Knowledge
INTUITION Knowledge from within Immediate cognition
FAITH One of the most argued WoK How can you base a truth on something that is uncertain?