TOK-theory of knowledge

In the first few classes, we learned a lot from the TOK, such as Knowledge claim. In the class, we shared our opinions on Knowledge claim by using a website, and we also discussed what we know and what we don’t know about ourselves or the world.  So we know that a knowledge claims are something that a claimant believes to be true but are open to fact-checking, discussion and debate.

Then, we learned personal knowledge and shared knowledge, and made a group speech in the class. Our group told a story about a white girl who suffered from Internet violence because of her inappropriate “joke” on twitter. At first, I just thought there is a thing called knowledge which means the facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject. I didn’t know that knowledge included personal and shared but after the class.

  • Personal knowledge: knowledge of a circumstance or fact gained through firsthand observation or their own (individual) experiences(Inferring from actions) background of those who involved.
  • Shared knowledge: From scientists and researchers, ethnic group. Held communally, by groups which will vary in size depending on the type of knowledge being explored.

TOK teaches us to understand more about the knowledge, to analyze them and see its faults so they can be improved upon or just be made aware of. An important example of this is ethics or the study of morals as it is also known as.

TOK-area of knowledges

How we “know” and with what “certainty” differs across areas of knowledge. Explain giving examples. (300 words, 2 examples of AOKs).

We need to explore the differences in the scope of knowledge in different areas of learning, between the field of art and science, we are supposed to understand how the range of human understanding and knowledge is changing in science and art. In general, human beings are more inclined to sense-perception in art and reasoning in science.

In science, people are more likely to believe in practical and reasoning things, such as formulas and proven theories.

In the field of art, people can create and explore new knowledge by themselves. Artists show different emotions to viewers through different colours, painting methods and drawing structures.

In Russell’s history of western philosophy, he said: “All definite knowledge –so I should contend-belongs to science; all dogma as to what surpasses definite knowledge belongs to theology. But between theology and science there is a No Man’s Land, exposed to attack from both sides; this No Man’s Land is philosophy.” Russell does not refer to art in this sentence, but we can also interpret this sentence as saying that science and theology describe and talk about human rational knowledge, while art allows people to feel emotions and release emotions. Although there are differences between science and art, they can not be separated, they must be linked together.

In the two different fields of science and art, they are both based on human creativity and gradually grow and develop. Science and art help each other in the development of different structures. If science and art are two exams, then human beings need to find the correct answers in the science exam. However, there is no correct answer in art.