The structures of our knowledge

Classifications  To make sense of the world we use classifications to group similar ideas and objects.  Be aware that all objects and ideas within a classification are not identical. These are all cattle somehow.

Classifying Knowledge  We also classify our knowledge into different categories.

The Areas of Knowledge  There may be many areas of knowledge, but in T.O.K. we cover six that are the basis of your education.  In class, we can abbreviate Areas of Knowledge as AOK.  Math  Natural Sciences  Human Sciences  History  Ethics  Arts

Mathematics  Mathematics or “math” (think about that for a second, the British say “maths”) is the AOK that is the “study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols.” (Webster’s II)  Math includes Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Calculus Trigonometry Linear Algebra Statistics Plus a whole bunch of stuff you never heard of!

Natural Sciences  Natural sciences is the AOK that uses observation, identification, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena. (Webster’s II again)  Natural Science includes: Biology Physics Chemistry Astronomy Geology And others, but a physicist would argue that everything is physics!

Human Sciences  Uses observation, identification, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation to understand human behavior.  Includes: Psychology Economics Political Science Sociology Anthropology Geography Linguistics

History  History records and analyzes past events. (Again with the Webster’s II)  It is divided into categories based on eras, nations, cultural groups, etc.  Types of history: American History World History Chinese History Women’s History African-American History Ancient History Muslim History

Ethics  Ethics is a branch of philosophy that examines moral beliefs and the foundations of what we believe is right and wrong behavior. (I made this definition up..take that Webster)  Ethics is divided into: National ethics Religious ethics Workplace ethics Generational ethics  IT IS NOT ethNics!!!

Arts  The arts is the area of knowledge that is the conscious arrangement or production of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements in a way that affects the aesthetic sense. Also the study of those activities. (yeah, that was Webster’s again)  Arts includes: Literature Painting Sculpture Dance Music Film Theater Photography And others I am sure  This is an interesting question.

Issues  Placing a knowledge claim into one of these areas can be problematic. There are times when the subjects overlap and it is not clear exactly which area you are working in.

Force= Mass X Acceleration  Would you consider this knowledge claim to be a mathematical statement or a physics statement?  Why?

Picasso’s Guernica  This depicts Picasso’s view on the bombing of a village in Spain in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War.  Is it History or Art? Why?

Placing ATMs in Casinos  Placing an Automated Teller Machine in a casino allows players access to quick cash to gamble. This is convenient for the gambler but critics argue that this is also dangerous.  Is this Psychology? Economics? Biology? Political Science? Ethics?  This may be something to bring up in an ITGS class.

Ways of Knowing  Within the TOK framework, we claim that the Areas of Knowledge can be studied using four “ways” of knowing.  All of our knowledge comes through these methods.

Ways of Knowing: Perception  Sense perception is the first way that we gain knowledge.  Sense perception includes the use of the senses to gather information.  This means the five common senses but may include others.

Ways of Knowing : Perception  When we say perception we do NOT mean a point of view.  Example--- With my perception I noticed that the teacher wore a yellow dress. (OK)  Bad Example--- It is my perception that the teacher does not know what she is doing. (Not ok)

Ways of Knowing: Language  At an early age, we develop the ability to use language to communicate and take in information.  Languages are systems of symbols and rules that are used to communicate.  There are many different types of languages out there….and not just national languages like Spanish and French.

Ways of Knowing: Reason  Reason, also referred to as logic, is to use known information to develop new ideas and gain new information.  It does NOT mean to “give reasons” Example: Do mice produce milk?

Ways of Knowing : Reason  When using reason, we often create arguments.  Arguments are a series of statements where a conclusion (thesis) is reached.  The conclusion must be supported by the other statements in order to be believed.

Ways of Knowing: Reason  This is an example of a logical argument.  Premise– Very tall people are excellent teachers.  Premise– Ms. Koszyk is tall.  CONCLUSION- Ms. Koszyk is an excellent teacher.  If the premises are true then the conclusion must be as well. Why is this false?

Ways of Knowing: Emotion  The final WOK we discuss is knowledge gained through emotions.  Some say we should not trust our emotional knowledge, but some of the biggest decisions we make (marriage, occupation) have an emotional component.

Combinations  There are important connections to be made among the various WOK.  Ex: How does your emotional state influence the language you choose to use?

Links among WOK  It is summertime…..you see what appears to be Ms. Chapman riding a motorcycle and eating a chicken leg. Do you trust your eyes? Why or why not?

Links: AOK and WOK  It is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

ooooooooooooooooooooooo  oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Links: AOK and WOK  oooo important that you understand how the ways of knowing are used within the areas of knowledge.  Example: A historian (AOK) has a ship’s log with the names of passengers travelling to the US. 90% of the passengers have Italian last names (language WOK) and one way tickets. The historian also knows that there were massive crop failures for two consecutive years in Italy. The historian uses reason (WOK) to conclude that people were emigrating to the US due to economic reasons.

Links: AOK AND WOK  Assignment Choose one AOK and two WOK. Describe a real example of how the WOKs were used to further knowledge in the AOK. By real example I mean something that exists. Do not use a hypothetical example that you made up.  Real example: Kagan feels that Bismarck would have prevented WWI.  Hypothetical example: A US historian may feel that Germany could have avoided WWI.