IB Theory of Knowledge

IB Theory of Knowledge All human beings, by learning how to agree and disagree with particular subjects, have opinions and thus express them. But how do the opinions of expert help us researching for certain knowledge? Before, experts were figures whom we, as human beings, trust and depend on to find truth from our insights. They have advanced knowledge, skills and understanding. Then what is the difference between opinions and knowledge? Opinions are what we think about a particular question. We shape our beliefs based either on experiences or senses, or on the knowledge we have. However, the real source for our opinion has been vague until now. Thus, we all have different opinions on a same issue at different levels. Knowledge is what we gain from our experiences, perceptions and reasoning by associating with various matters. An important fact about opinions and knowledge is that they are correlated. We use both knowledge and opinions to acquire opinions and knowledge. Which one is more important the bet ween the two? Is it opinion or knowledge? The question addresses how important the opinions of experts are and in what fields of knowledge they are important. Our knowledge depends mostly on knowledge that is inherited from the past. This is because it is evidenced that we trust it more. Opinions are the basis of theory and what make convictions on the opinions stronger are physical objects, facts and people. We call them in a word, testimony. For example, a hypothesis merely begins as an opinion but develops into a theory with various testimonies. Natural science, the study of physics, chemistry and biology, also often include the usage of experts opinions. For example Charles Darwin who played an important role in developing the evolutionary theory insisted on the fact that evolution is a result of natural selection. There were groups against his theory. However, by his discovering a series of observations and deductions, people were convinced and believed his philosophy. People were persuaded by his testimony, evidence. Without the testimony, the opinion of experts is not valuable and theory often cannot be built; such experts will be c ontributing less or with no credible knowledge for us. Human science, the study and interpretation of the experiences, activities, constructs, and artifacts associated with human beings  [1]  , is another area full of experts opinions. John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner, known as psychologists claimed the fact that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning.  [2]  Looking at their opinions, we assume that their opinions are based on sense perception. Sense perception refers to the perceptions that are based on five senses; sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. Then what is the relation between sense perception and theory? Believing our senses is equal to believing to see the truth. We, as in TOK, doubt our senses by insisting that we have different perceptions and experiences. We cannot trust entirely what we see, smell, hear, taste and touch. The behaviorism theory began by doubting our senses that come from experiences and conditioning. Distrusting one sense can bring about a completely different behavior. By stating that d esk is a desk, I see it from different perceptions. When I see a desk itself, I see only one edge of a desk. I mistrust my senses that are from my experience and conditioning. John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner approach the theory and we develop our knowledge by asserting that we all have different perceptions from conditioning. Is the opinion of expert always important in any area of knowledge? We, students always stay closer to mathematics not only at school but also in life. It is an essential subject we learn from the very early ages. Does mathematic require opinions of experts? Do we use them to explain and solve math problems? The mathematical knowledge is composed of certain rules. These rules require logic and reasons to reach the answers and the explanation. The mathematical knowledge is also complex and theoretical. The content and extent of math are unlimited and thus require logic thinking. Namely, opinion is not a necessary element for mathematics. An expert himself depends on logics and reasons and tries not to get involved with emotions and opinions. This is because personal emotions and opinions often influence the processes. I, as a Korean, am always surprised about the fact that Americans use various toys and methods to teach math. On television, I see cards, candies, milks, and toys etc us ed to raise the interest of children. In particular game is another method of math for the Americans. In Korea, not only high school students but even elementary students, do not use any toys when learning math. We believe that toys can disturb childrens concentrations and slow down the speed of acquiring mathematical skills. Using toys is nothing more than to make us curious what math is about when we are at age of 5 or 6. Ethics is a motivation based on the ideas of right or wrong.  [3]  We often confuse the concept of ethics and morals. Then what is the definition of moral? Moral refers to the personal character while ethic is a social system in which those morals are applied.  [4]  In other words, ethics, different from moral, point to the standards or the codes of behavior expected by the group to which the individual belongs.  [5]  Do we use opinions of experts in ethics? Before asking this question, do we need them in this field? We assume that we do not. Ethics depend mostly on the nature of the problem. There are certain rules and patterns but these are not based on the opinions of experts. This is because the expert can express personal emotions and cultures and thus influence opinions. Ethics should not rely on the belief of an individual or a particular group. Belief refers to the emotions, opinions and cultures. Culture of the expert has a great impact on ethics when applied. Th is is because every expert has different culture and thus creates different ethics. The most representative ethics in Korea is politeness towards older people. Dissimilar to any other countries, we bend our waists 90 degree to bow towards older people such as our parents, grandmothers, grandfathers, teachers and older neighbors. We show our respect in this way. We value the respect more than anything. Then, do Koreans reflect the opinions of experts in this issue? It is ethics that reflects cultures rather than opinions of experts. Namely, we do not require individuals opinion and emotions to value ethics. To conclude, we see that some fields do not necessitate opinions of experts and rather consider them as obstacles that prevent us from searching for and improving the knowledge. Addressing the question, I have stated two areas of knowledge where I see the need of experts opinions; natural science and human science. I also have stated two other areas of knowledge where I think that opinions of experts are not required but rather logic and reason; math and arts. The reason why I have also discovered areas where opinions are not necessary is that I believe some fields require more logic and reason than personal opinions. I could have found areas easily when I thought of subjects I study at school. I realized that I am in touch with these fields every day. Reflecting my research, I conclude that elements in ways of knowing are essential at influencing the areas of knowledge. In addition, I consider that not only emotion and sense perception but also testimony and culture are important impacts associating with the opinions of experts. How important are the opinions of experts in the search for knowledge? We cannot precisely answer this question because we cannot measure how important they are but rather can judge where they are important. Based on the information carried on until now, we can approach to the conclusion that in fields like natural science, human science and history require opinions of experts. These fields are easily influenced by sense perception and testimony. When testimony is put on with these fields, it contributes advanced knowledge to us. On the other hand, when looking at the human science, we find that doubting our five senses bring us different conditioning which influences our perceptions and opinions. We see that this is one reason why everyone develops different viewpoints. We also discover that some fields like math and art do not endow knowledge to us using the opinions of experts but the logic and the reason. This is because we believe that not only the opinions but also the emotions can be factors confusing the experts in the process of searching for the knowledge. In addition, we realize that some experts rather refuse to be involved with opinions and emotions. We also linked culture as a part of impact like opinions and emotions. To conclude, experts opinions should be viewed as guidance but we should not forget that they are expert opinions, namely they have some influence carrying from culture and other sources.

Christopher Columbus Day Essay

I believe that Christopher Columbus is a villain. I think the anniversary of Columbus be not a time for celebration but for reflection and repentance because he took a whole bunch of Indians captive, hoping they would take him to gold and other treasures. Some other reasons why Columbus Day shouldn’t be celebrated is he kept on collecting gold and Indians to other places he went. Christopher Columbus also opened up the continent to slavery, he was one of the first European slave traders in the world. He had the Indians go to all sorts of places to serve people there. The Spanish came up with an idea with the help of Columbus to make Indians get gold and if they didn’t then they would get their heads chopped off. Ancestors of the European conquest must acknowledge a continuing history of oppression, degradation and genocide because Columbus killed an entire people. Because of what Columbus started the Spanish started to move to African slaves because the Indians were dying too quick. Its not a good idea to celebrate Columbus Day, unless you want to celebrate how he tortured, killed and raped so many Indians and Africans just to get treasure. When other countries realized that there was a new continent they started there own search for gold and other riches. This led to the major countries in Europe colonizing undeveloped countries and establishing colonies. Aboriginals peoples around the world were exploited and used as cheap labour. This is a practice that still continues today. Politically the richer countries set up governments in the poorer countries and began to make the laws and govern these new colonies. Economically money from the poorer countries was sent back to the European countries. Environmentally the search for natural resources like gold and oil, destroyed and damaged the environment. The richer countries didn’t care very much about this. In recent years we have began to take better care of our planet but a lot of damage has already been done.

Definition Paper on Honor - 864 Words

Reed Kolany September 23rd, 2012 Ms. Richardson Period 1 Honor. There is a little bit of it in each of us. Some more than others do, but they earned it. Honor. Or it could be honour. It does not matter how it is spelled, it means the same universally. Honor. Great men and women earned it. They have gone beyond their normal duties to earn this. Honor. Local heroes have this too. They fall under the same category as great men and women. Honor. I think you get the point. I could keep going, but I need to get to the meat of the meaning. So here it goes†¦ â€Å"Hey! You in the back turn around! Yes, you, turn around! All right then, now that everyone is here, we can get started. I know that none of you want to be here, but I am†¦show more content†¦I have plenty of eyes ears everywhere that will keep me posted on your progress, so actually take this to heart, and one thing will lead to another. Then all of the sudden, your life will turn around. If this doesn’t turn out well, I’ll see you in a month and gi ve a whole nother meaning to the word lecture. Trust me, you don’t want round two. So hopefully I’ll never see you again. Now get out of here and embrace what you have left in your life.† All of the kids started to stagger out of the room all thinking about what they just listened to and how simple it would be to please this guy. But there is not enough room to describe each and every kid’s journey discovering themselves and what their life is stillShow MoreRelatedReflection on Stewardship in Business Practices Essays1634 Words   |  7 PagesGod’s Business: A Reflection on Stewardship as a Christian Stewardship is by definition an ethic that embodies responsible planning and management of resources. Christian stewardship couples the first definition with the firm foundations of the Christian beliefs. 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Steven Spielberg Postmodern Auteur And Constructor

Jessica Tang CTCS469 Professor Casper 18 October 2017 Steven Spielberg: Postmodern Auteur and Constructor In a 1977 interview with Steven Spielberg, the young filmmaker mused, â€Å"I think in a way I’m two different people; my instincts always commandeer my sensibilities, or my intellect is always beaten down by my instincts† (36). Spielberg’s prognosis is accurate – Spielberg’s creative instincts and business sensibilities balance each other, laying the foreground for his present prominence as both a postmodern constructor and postmodern auteur. 40 years later, today, Steven Spielberg remains one of the most highly-recognized, prolific directors in Hollywood. I argue that Spielberg is both a postmodern constructor and postmodern auteur, but†¦show more content†¦and Canada, ultimately raking in $400 million globally (99). How did this happen? In the Hollywood Reporter article, â€Å"‘Jaws’: How Massive Promotion Built a Summer Blockbuster,† the revolutionary marketing strategy of Jaws is discussed: â€Å"In the two weeks p rior to Jaws general release, Spielberg, Benchley, Zanuck and Brown toured 11 U.S. cities, saturating every major market. ‘Jaws’ star Robert Shaw made guest appearances on Today, Dinah!, The Mike Douglas Show and Tonight† (THR Staff). What’s more, prior to release, the shark sprawled the cover of Time magazine, with a â€Å"5-page article spread† (Casper). Further, a â€Å"new releasing strategy† was devised, and Jaws opened in over 400 theaters (THR Staff). Jaws revolutionized marketing for the summer blockbuster, striking early intrigue in new audiences, as well as existing fans of Bentley’s novel. In the 1970s television-rampant climate in which feature films were often hit-and-miss – with summer releases particularly vulnerable to poor reception – the successful marketing of Jaws paved way for more summer blockbuster hits, like Lucas’s Star Wars, the second film to gross over a hundred million (Spielberg 99). Definitely, Jaws shows early on in Spielberg’s career his capacity as a constructor. But, it also foreshadows some of his personal trademarks. First, Jaws is pastiche of other works. According to Casper, it thematically imitates Moby Dick, and Act 1 is structurally very similar