According to the Cambridge dictionary, the noun knowledge means: information, awareness or understanding that has been obtained through a means of study or personal experience. 

The object stimulus of this photograph displays the idea that knowledge can reside within an abstract photograph. For example, geographers can acquire data about the climates of Earth through the distance of tree rings. The utilisation of this data is a useful tool to accumulate knowledge of the current condition of Earth and its predicted path or any anomalies present. Given this, knowledge is recognised as the pinnacle aspect of human society and without it, the world would be full of uncertainties. It is tested, analysed and criticised to the point where it is adamant that it is true, however, that is until new evidence is considered and the cycle continues. 

Photography has been utilised since the early 18th century as a medium for recording historical events, data but also, self-expression within particular time periods. This has led to an abundant amount of acute information that has provided an immense amount of evidence for many years afterwards. For example, evidential footage is available from past events that would not be repeated in today’s society, such as the reign of England’s sovereign Queen Elizabeth II. We are able to get a visual insight into the parades of devoted royalists who gathered for the coronation of her majesty Elizabeth, which arguably captures the current stance of behaviours in society far better then a written document would. 

Previously I used this image as a final piece for my photography coursework, where I learned to theoretically analyse and evaluate my work. I chose this stimulus figure to guide this passage because it highlights the Autumn equinox, marking the rebirth of the Autumn season. Thus, this photograph is a reminder of the empirical knowledge I have acquired through my experience during this season.

One branch of the theory of truth is Empirical knowledge, information that is derived from the faculties of our senses – sight, sound, taste, smell and touch, in which humans and animals experience these stimuli from outside the body. In regards to when I took this photograph, I can recall the autumnal breeze whispering golden aromas and the crisped leaves skittering across the ground. Hence, my suggestion is that knowledge does not have to be derived from material data, but also through personal experiences, extensive research and theoretical debates. 

How can we distinguish between knowledge, belief and opinion?

One of the most fascinating facets in our diverse and complex world, is the differences in how our brains acquire and value information through different processes. For each and every individual in the entire populace, the defining features for Knowledge, belief and opinion are all intertwined with one another. 

In terms of knowledge, the distinctive feature would be how it is acquired through evidence and experience. It is facts, history and proven information that the majority of people agree with and rely on being true. Whereas, belief tends to be more of a personal, cultural and/or a religious aspect that is believed to be true on a wider spectrum than opinion. It is practically the unknown, it is different in every aspect of life with little evidence to support it. An opinion can belong to a singular individual and is non-subjective. It is a viewpoint that an individual sees to be true while others may not agree.  

In certain areas of the world, the way of life is highly influenced by the religious practices in their culture. Take the Vatican city for an example, it has created its own laws for its citizens to follow and it is an area that is highly devoted towards chistianity. In general, people assess their beliefs to be true and are quite reluctant to alter them. This is relatively similar to knowledge where people hold on to what they know to be true and readjusting what they know would be uncomfortable and perhaps distressing.

This image represents a place that is central to many peoples beliefs and faith; to which they will shape their lives around. I took this image while I was visiting a cemetery at St.Brelades and wanted to catch the beautiful scenery. I have realised that this image raises questions in my essay. Does a belief towards religion take a position of greater importance just because it’s central to faith? I would suggest not, because to acquire beliefs in the first place, this would have had to have been shaped from the foundation of a person’s upbringing and their culture, because both of these factors affect how someone contemplates their ideas. Given this, we can only have a belief once we have obtained a means of knowledge from a source which must be of value first.

Religion is a useful tool that can be used within a society in order to keep a civilization in balance. The incentive of the afterlife and the moral of a saint is a reliable way to ensure the behavior of individuals. This is an example of a pragmatic truth as it is an efficient belief that is widely accepted and followed within a community. 

My object for this blog post is this piece of art I saw in a museum in London. It is a bunch of TVs/radios stacked to make a tower that produces static noise.

Anyway my answer to this question is yes, but it could also be no. I believe all knowledge is useful, but depending on context some is more useful than others. By this I mean for example your plane crashes in some jungle in the middle of nowhere, you’re not going to need to know about some radios stacked on top of each other, or how to make a blog post for your theory of knowledge class, you’re going to want to know how to make a fire and other kinds of survival techniques. This means that depending on the context of your life some information is more useful and therefore more important than others.

But if there is a choice more information is always better even in a situation that doesn’t suit it. Going back to my example about the plane crash if you have survival skills and also how to write a blog post, the skills that you know about technology might help you after the initial crash. If you survive long enough you might be able to use these skills to somehow find a way to communicate with the outside world to hopefully get rescued.

In conclusion, it’s best to accumulate as much knowedge as you can even if it seems futile and silly, you don’t know when you’ll need it. But I agree with the statement that some knowledge is more important than others. this does not mean only try and find the knowledge that suits you or that you think is useful, but try to get a varied and diverse intake to be able to overcome and thrive from whatever is thrown at you. Knowledge is power after all.

What is the TOK exhibition? 

1. The TOK exhibition is an internal assessment task (marked by your teacher, and moderated by the IB), representing ⅓ of your overall mark in TOK. 
2. The aim is to show how TOK manifests itself in the world around us. 
3. To do this, you choose an IA prompt (from a list of 35 options), select 3 specific real-world ‘objects’, and write a commentary connecting the objects to your prompt.  
4. During Y12 you will write ‘mini’ TOK exhibition commentaries on specified questions to prepare you for the real write up and get feedback on your ability to address TOK in your writing.
5. It is recommended that the context for your commentary is based on the core or optional themes (knowledge & and the knower, knowledge & language or knowledge & technology). 

10 Important considerations before you begin 

1. Your objects must be different from those of the other students in your class. 

2. You MAY choose the same IA prompt as another student in your class. 

3. You should NOT alter the IA prompt in any way. 

4. Choose objects that are of personal interest to you and relate to you and your real life context.

5. Objects must belong within a specific time & place (rather than be generic) 

6. Objects may be something that students have created themselves (e.g. a piece of work – such as an EE, or a painting for their DP visual art course), but may not be created specially for the exhibition. 

7. Objects can be physical or digital.  

8. The overall word count for the commentary is 950 words. 

9. Images, ideas, and quotes should all be referenced. 

10. Your teacher will support you during the process of creating the exhibition, with at least one initial meeting, and one check of a draft you provide – for which they can provide written or oral feedback. 

What kind of objects can be selected? 

You can select a wide variety of objects for your exhibition. Here are some examples. If you are still unsure with what an objects you can use. Please refer to your TOK teacher.

1. An piece of artwork or musical composition you created
2. A history book
3. A tweet from the Indian Prime Minister
4. A tree from your garden
5. Statistics
6. A picture you have taken yourself
7. A picture of your grandparents
8. An episode of Booker’s Black Mirror

Hello IB Theory of Knowledge! I hope that you find this blog helpful. If you need any help or support please feel free to email me on m.mckinlay@hautlieu.sch.je