(Image source) The Theory of Knowledge essay is an integral component of your final TOK mark, as it makes up 40 out of the 60 marks for your TOK grade (the other 20 marks come from your presentation). Each examination session, the International Baccalaureate publishes a list of a dozen or so “title prompts”, which [...Read more...]
This recent comment on xkcd reminded me of how we now regard English texts, especially in class. For many of us, reading our first Shakespearean play was nearly impossible; we needed a modern English version right beside us to even begin understanding the play. (Who knew wherefore = why?) I guess you could call this [...Read more...]
A World without Patterns, Faces without Meaning This riveting article explores a condition known as visual agnosia, in which a person can see an object perfectly without recognizing it. The thesis brought forth is that observing something does not necessarily one that one can perceive it; a person could see all the details and intricacies [...Read more...]
Here are some thoughts I had after finishing the Mathematics section in Theory of Knowledge. Mathematics does appear to be an “island of stability” in an ocean of chaos; after all, mathematics appears to be the only area of knowledge that offers “definite” answers to questions. This quality of mathematics has caused it to become [...Read more...]
Identify each fallacy on the list. Some are repeats. 1. Jim picked up some litter and the next day he was hit by lightning. Therefore, picking up litter must cause one to be struck by lightning. 2. You are an environmentalist. Therefore, you must also be a violinist. 3. I’m starving and I was attacked [...Read more...]
Here are some questions that appeared in class discussion, and some answers that we arrived at. 1. To what extent is language a part of the human identity? This question arose when I was reading the introduction. The introduction states that “language is something that … completely surrounds us… [and] has a central function in [...Read more...]
Slideshow: Fullscreen: These are some notes I had from a sample Theory of Knowledge presentation provided to us by our teacher. What is Global Warming? Explanation of greenhouse effect Potential implications such as coast lines, etc. (climate refugees) According to the International Panel on Climate Change, the most potent of the greenhouse gases are carbon [...Read more...]