Theory of Knowledge

 (Last update 2012-05-01)

Suggested Readings:

1. "Theory of Knowledge for the IB Diploma", Richard van de Lagemaat (Cambridge University Press) -  [Textbook]
2. "What Does It All Mean?", Thomas Nagel (Oxford University Press)
3. "Three Dialogues on Knowledge", Paul K. Feyerabend (Blackwell)
4. "Why Share Knowledge? The Influence of ICT on the Motivation for Knowledge Sharing", Paul Hendricks, University of Nijmegen (Research Article; ask Mr. N. Pournaras for more info)
5. "The Demon Haunted World. Science as a Candle in te Dark", Carl Sagan (Ballantine Books)
   

Study Timeline

17/02/2012 & 21/02/2012: Chapter 1-The problem of knowledge  &  Chapter 2-The nature of knowledge

24/02/2012 & 28/02/2012: ---

02/03/2012 & 06/03/2012: Chapter 3-Language

09/03/2012 & 13/03/2012: Chapter 4-Perception

16/03/2012 & 20/03/2012: Chapter 5-Reason

23/03/2012 & 27/03/2012: Revision (bring your textbook)

30/03/2012 & 02/04/2012: Chapter 6-Emotion

06/04/2012: Revision (bring your text book)

10/04/2012 & 13/04/2012: Easter Break

17/04/2012 & 20/04/2012: Easter Break

24/04/2012 & 27/04/2012: Chapter 7 & Mathematics Presentations

01/05/2012: No Class

04/05/2012 & 08/05/2012: Chapter 8-The Natural Sciences (prepare for in class discussion and assignment)

11/05/2012 & 15/05/2012: Chapter 9-The Human Sciences, Appendix to Chapter 9-The free will problem (prepare for in class discussion and assignment)

18/05/2012 & 22/05/2012: Chapter 10- History (prepare for in class discussion and assignment)

Homework for 16/03/2012 & 20/03/2012: "Consider the Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration can be found at http://www.un.org. Select any two articles of your choice and compare and contrast their influence and/or impact in two separate areas of knowledge also of your own choice. Your essay is expected to be approximately 400-500 words."

Homework for 24/04/2012 & 27/04/2012: Science has both similarities and differences in the way it approaches knowledge as compared to other areas of knowledge. Discuss at least two such similarities and/or differences in a typed paper of 500-600 words. Consider this paper your Easter break homework. The paper is due in your respective class time upon return from your Easter break.

In class work for 04/05/2012 & 08/05/2012: First discuss in class briefly possible questions you may have on the reading assignment for this session. Then write an in class essay of about 650-750 words on the following topic: "What separates science from all other human activities is its belief in the provisional nature of all conclusions” (Michael Shermer, www.edge.com). Critically evaluate this way of distinguishing the sciences from other areas of knowledge." (You may use material from the Mathematics presentations that took place in class).

In class work for 11/05/2012 & 15:/05/2012: First discuss in class briefly possible questions you may have on the reading assignment for this session. Then write an in class essay of about 650-750 words on the following topic: "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."

In class work for 18/05/2012 & 22/05/2012: First discuss in class briefly possible questions you may have on the reading assignment for this session. Then write an in class essay of about 6500-750 words on the following topic: "What similarities and differences are there between historical and scientific explanations?"  

Announcements:

• On Tuesday the 20^th and Friday the 30^th of March there will be a Biology presentation by Mr. Mehrabian during regular class periods. Make sure you do not miss this presentation.
• On Tuesday the 24th and Friday the 27th of April there will be a Mathematics presentation by the Math Dept. staff (Ms. A. Bitouni, Ms. D. Milioni, Dr. N. Stathakis) during the regular class periods. Make sure you do not miss this presentation.
• During the period from 02/05/2012 to 22/05/2012 Mr. Pournaras will not be teaching the TOK classes. Instead Mr. Periclakis will be substituting. Reading assignments and in class written work have been set. Please note that the word limit that has been set for these assignments for a hand written piece is one and a half to two pages long (using a standard of 10-12 words per line it ammounts for 55-65 lines for 650 words, or 62-75 lines for 750 words). Note that in order to improve your chances with the in class essays you should study your texbook.
  

Contact: npournaras@isa.edu.gr