Wonderful TOK

Today was pretty awesome in terms of TOK, wasn't it kiddos?  It was nice to get out of the classroom and get some well deserved brain entertainment.  I thought it very cool to see the Multiverse drop in and it was really cool to get the idea that maybe the big bang was caused by a black hole in another universe...and as Gwen and Alex pointed out...does that mean that black holes in our universe create other universes?

Plus, it was nice to see that all you Beaumont babies were more than happy to let your voices be heard from the get go in the break out sessions - you made me proud!

Now, back to our normal TOKkyness.  I do apologise that it wasn't very clear in last week's blog that you were just to blog the last four questions under the Bloggy Wog work, the rest was to be written into your actual paper notes, just like you would in our normal class sessions and to be discussed with each other/unsuspecting bystanders/confused strangers.  But that's my fault for not being clear and not realising what absolutely wicked students you are to just go for an assignment, regardless of its length or difficulty. 

You also need to be working on your presentations, which lucky you, you're going to have an extra week on.  Again, I will not be in for our Thursday lesson.  In case I haven't let you all know, I've not been very well and I have yet another doctor's appointment to figure out what's wrong with my particles :-)  So...here's what I'd like you to do for me.  From previous essay prescribed titles, I'd like you to pick one from the list that follows and write a plan for how you would tackle that particular question. 

Titles:
1. To what extent is truth different in mathematics, the arts and ethics?


2. Examine the ways empirical evidence should be used to make progress in different areas of knowledge.

3. Discuss the strengths and limitations of quantitative and qualitative data in supporting knowledge claims in the human sciences and at least one other area of knowledge.

4. How can the different ways of knowing help us to distinguish between something that is true and something that is believed to be true?

5. “What separates science from all other human activities is its belief in the provisional nature of all conclusions” (Michael Shermer, www.edge.org). Critically evaluate this way of distinguishing the sciences from other areas of knowledge?

6. All knowledge claims should be open to rational criticism. On what grounds and to what extent would you agree with this assertion?

7. “We see and understand things not as they are but as we are.” Discuss this claim in relation to at least two ways of knowing.

8. “People need to believe that order can be glimpsed in the chaos of events" (adapted from John Gray, Heresies, 2004). In what ways and to what extent would you say this claim is relevant in at least two areas of knowledge?

9. Discuss the claim that some areas of knowledge are discovered and others are invented.

10. What similarities and differences are there between historical and scientific explanations?

What does your plan need to include?
1.  Brief discussion of what you think of the title (your first impressions) - Is there anything about the vocabulary used that you think is important in addressing the question? 
2.  Outline of some ideas you would like to use to address the title - What is the logical way to address your question?  What concrete examples would you use in this question?
3.  A short (no more than 10 sources) bibliography of research you would use to address the question.
 
Additionally...Wikipedia articles were due last week, but as I wasn't in class and as I won't be in on Thursday, and we have so much to catch up on, we'll leave that for 3rd December.  Your presentations are for next Thursday, 19th November and we'll do them during the 1st session.
 
Okee doke, that sounds like it is plenty to keep you going for the week as far as TOK goes.  I want real focus to be on those essay titles, your presentations and WIKIPEDIA articles so no Blog work this week.  You will also receive your marks for the blogs so far.
 
TTFN