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Knowledge, Truth and Certainty  
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Knowledge, Truth and Certainty

 

Knowledge

"If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them." Isaac Asimov

 

Required Readings: In class handouts: Excerpts from the IBO Syllabus, Ghosts

Suggested Readings: Alchin, Chapter 1

 

Related In-Class Activities and Formative Assessments:

  1. Formative Journal 1: What kind of learner are you? What kind of person are you? What connection do you see between the two?
  2. Intro to TOK, excerpts from the syllabus
  3. Knowledge discussion and PowerPoint with knowledge claims
  4. Knowledge and values, graphing values
  5. Questions: Knowledge Issues

 

Summative Journal 1: What knowledge do we value? (Two Part Journal)

Part One: In light of the needs of our modern world, which area(s) of knowledge should we value the most?  Explain and justify your response. (1 page) 

Part Two: Look back at your response from part one and answer the following questions: What biases are inherent in your response?  What arguments might those who would oppose your ideas make?  In what ways are their arguments valid?  (Hint: with this last question, you have to look for ways to show that their arguments are truly valid.) (1 page)

 

 

Truth and Certainty

"Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it." Andre Gide

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." Bertrand Russell

 

Required Readings: In class handouts: Plato, Descartes, Thompson

Suggested Readings: Alchin, Chapter 15

 

Related In-Class Activities and Formative Assessments:

  1. Formative Journal 2: Establishing truth: Choose a newspaper article, one that is persuasive, but you believe to be true. Respond to the following questions in two parts:
    • Part One: Why do you believe your article is true? How can you justify your claim that this article is true?
    • Part Two: In what ways might this article not be true?
  2. Wikipedia and truth
  3. Class discussion: Plato, Descartes and Thompson

 

Summative Journal 2: Cosmic Calendar Analogy

Read the cosmic calendar analogy in Alchin pages 4-5, then write a 1-2 page response based upon question A. (The more adventurous among you are welcome to write a relevant response of your own.)