Knowledge Issues

Understanding Knowledge Issues

After the introductory lessons regarding Theory of Knowledge had finished, we began to learn about some of the core topics, including “Knowledge Issues”. The term “Knowledge Issues” is central to the theory of knowledge (TOK) course and its assessments. As a result, being able to effectively identify and understand this concept will be a significant advantage to the students in assessment tasks. Knowledge issues are basically issues about knowledge, and may apply to any aspects of knowledge. These knowledge issues may range from extremely general (My uncle went to an acupuncturist), to the specific (What is it about a scientific explanation that makes it convincing or unconvincing?). In this journal entry, I will be selecting knowledge claims form three different Areas of Knowledge, and will be going through the different stages to develop highly focused knowledge issues from my real life experiences.

Area of Knowledge: Psychology

Real-life situation: Intelligence can be genetically inherited

Not a knowledge issue: Genetic inheritance and intelligence

Poor: Can intelligence be genetically inherited?

Intermediate: How can we decide if intelligence can be genetically inherited or not?

Good: What is it about a scientific explanation that makes it convincing or unconvincing?

Area of Knowledge: Chemistry

Real-life situation: In a chemical reaction, matter is neither created nor destroyed.

Not a knowledge issue: Chemistry, The Law of Conservation of Mass.

Poor: Is The Law of Conservation of Mass correct?

Intermediate: How can we use theories and/or models to predict chemical equations?

Good: Why should we believe that a general scientific law is true without testing it?

Area of Knowledge: English

Real-life situation: Using swear words may offend some people.

Not a knowledge issue: English and Taboo

Poor: Why do some swear words offend people?

Intermediate: How can we know the effects that taboo words have on others?

Good: To what extent does ethics play a role in communication?