GET OUT YOUR NOTEBOOKS, BOYS AND GIRLS, AND FASTEN

YOUR SEATBELTS…… IT’S GOING TO BE A BUMPY COUPLE OF

WEEKS!

WELCOME TO THE PRESCRIBED TITLES!

Examiners mark essays against the title as set. Respond to the title

exactly as given; do not alter it in any way.

Your essay must be between 1200 and 1600 words in length, double spaced and typed in size 12 font.

It is absolutely vital that the introduction to a TOK essay establishes clearly why the

approach the student is taking is relevant to the title.

Schools are asked to observe the following requests in order to assist with the

assessment process:• Ensure that candidates use a spacing of at least 1.5

and a font size of 12• Use a standard font such as Times New Roman or

Arial• Use default-sized margins without any added border• Write the prescribed title at the start of the essay as

stated on the list• Take note of the limits of the word requirement for

the TOK essay - the actual word-count must be entered when the essay is uploaded.

Students need to find examples beyond what we've already processed in class. It will be hard to score high (or so I've been

told) on the criterion "Knower's Perspective," which values "independent

thinking," if it seems like you've simply trotted out examples that either come

from class or from any of the TOK textbooks or course companions that are

out there.

Such as….Hitler, Stalin, Nazi Propaganda,

Darwin, Copernicus etc.

What else is cliché or overused?

'Does the candidate present an appropriate and cogent analysis of knowledge questions in discussing

the title?'

If you want to use examples from Psychology in a ToK essay then you

should be studying Psychology. Otherwise you are more likely to end up 'shooting from the hip'.

Write about that with which you are familiar.

I am limited in what I can do for you.

'providing a candidate with undue assistance in the production of any

work that contributes to the assessment requirements of the

Diploma Programme' constitutes a breach of regulations. (HOP 2012, Sn

A 8.6)

QUESTION 1

1. In what ways may disagreement aid the pursuit of knowledge in the

natural and human sciences?

1. In what ways may disagreement aid the pursuit of knowledge in the natural and human sciences?

• Definitions: what is…–“In what ways”?–May?–Disagreement?–Aid?–The pursuit?–Knowledge?

What are the:• Natural Sciences?–Astronomy–Biology–Chemistry•Materials science

–Physics–Earth science• Atmospheric science• Oceanography

What are the:

• Human Sciences? It includes but is not necessarily limited to humanistic modes of inquiry within fields of the

–Social sciences–Humanities–Sociology–Anthropology–Economics–History• Separate AoK – Can you include it?

1. In what ways may disagreement aid the pursuit of knowledge in the natural and human sciences?

Two Aok’s themselves. Can you add another?

History is one of the AOK's in the current TOK syllabus and not part

of Human Sciences. I think it would not be a good idea to use disagreements in History.

1. In what ways may disagreement aid the pursuit of knowledge in the natural and

human sciences?

How has the presence of the disagreement actually assisted in the development of knowledge in

each of these AoK?

1. In what ways may disagreement aid the pursuit of knowledge in the natural and

human sciences?

Is a new discovery just a “disagreement” with earlier understanding? What is the

difference?

1. In what ways may disagreement aid the pursuit of knowledge in the natural and

human sciences?

Why are differences of opinion important?

1. In what ways may disagreement aid the pursuit of knowledge in the natural and human

sciences?

Explain how both the natural sciences and the human sciences

are based on inductive reasoning. Cite an example for each.

1. In what ways may disagreement aid the pursuit of knowledge in the natural and human sciences?

Remembering that both the natural sciences and the human sciences are

based on inductive reasoning (and sometimes supported by the deductive

reasoning of math) which means they are trusted by means of probability, why are

differences of opinion important?

1. In what ways may disagreement aid the pursuit of knowledge in the natural and

human sciences?

Why should we listen to others' perceptions/arguments?

1. In what ways may disagreement aid the pursuit of knowledge in the natural and

human sciences?

How has disagreement spurred further research, resulted in a

new synthesis, etc.?

1. In what ways may disagreement aid the pursuit of knowledge in the natural and human sciences?

Can disagreement in the pursuit of knowledge take centuries to

develop? Do two scientists need to meet to disagree?