Two subjects with the most justified knowledge:
- Mathematics HL: In my opinion, the knowledge obtained from mathematics HL is one of the most justified knowledge because I feel everyone needs some level of mathematical knowledge to perform most tasks. In the modern world, I can’t become an engineer without taking Mathematics HL because the skills covered in Mathematics HL are prerequisites for first-year engineer colleges. Another reason why I think Math HL provides the most justified knowledge is because I think that the skills developed can be used to describe the world around us. Also, I feel that Mathematics provides one of the most justified knowledge is because it teaches us how to come up with logical conclusions and how to clearly justify our statements with reason. Without Math, there wouldn’t be any sciences, which are essential to utilise the rules of systems in order to predict and control the natural world. Math can be utilised to model the behaviour of the natural world and prepare for the future. Therefore, I feel that the Math provides on of the most justified knowledge.
- Physics HL: The main reason why I think Physics HL provides one of the most justified knowledge is because it helps us challenge and develop our imagination with concepts like relativity and Quantum Physics. Also, I think that Physics HL provides the most justified knowledge is because I want to become an engineer and in order to become an engineer I have to take Physics HL. Another reason why I think the knowledge gained in Physics HL is the most justified is because I believe that Physics plays a key role in future technological advances and the progress of humankind. Also, The skills obtained in Physics HL are essential in order to understand the systems around us. For example, in physics HL, you learn about electrical systems, generators, transformers and so on, which will be very useful in the future when you are planning the layout and budget for your home. Also, physics has a lot of practical real-world applications. For example, gravity can explain how an apple falls of a tree or how an object moving on a rough surface comes to stop eventually.
Two subjects with the least justified knowledge:
- English language and literature SL: In my opinion, learning English at the IB language and literature SL level provides the least justified knowledge. Now, I will justify why I think so. I strongly believe that being able to read, write, comprehend and speak in english is an essential skill because English is a universal language, which most people understand. However, I feel that developing skills like analysing literature texts is not very useful; because I want to become an engineer and then analysis of literature texts is not a very important skill for engineers. I feel that the minimum English requirement to work as an engineer is to communicate your ideas clearly in different formats.
- Economics SL: I feel that some amount of basic economics is very valuable in terms of making decisions in everyday life. Basic economics has many applications in daily life: how much can I spend on a weekly basis, how much of groceries do I need and how much time I should spend on each task. In other words, basic economics is essential for the efficient allocation of resources. However, I feel that the knowledge gained from Economics SL is the least justified because I don’t think I will use many of the concepts in the future as an engineer or for allocating my resources.
Thank you Suhaas for this post. I think many would put Maths and Physics as best justified, and English and Econ as less justified.
However, I think some of your reasons are much better than others. You point out (correctly) that you will need Math and Physics, and not ned Econ or English so much. But that is not really relevant I think, because we are looking to understand the knowledge itself. It seems you think knowledge is justified according to how useful it is to you -were you going to be a novelist, then you might find English very useful. So I think you are answering ‘how relevant is this to me?’ not ‘how well justified is it?”
Some of your other reasons seem more accurate to me. When you say that Maths and Physics describe the real world, then that could mean that the world itself provides justification; that is, that the *evidence* we have is strong that science and maths is correct. Is that what you meant?
I think Suhaas, that here you have done part of teh ask, but you missed this part of the instruction : ” Use the forms of justification that we explored today (p11 of your textbook)” So I am not seeing terms like ‘reason’, ‘intuition’, ‘perceptions’ and so on. Please do try to follow the instructions more carefully in future!
So this is promising, with some room for improvement still; and certainly much better than your initial post last week. Please try to heed the advice about following instructions!
thank you!
Nick