Theory of Knowledge - Part II Curriculum Night September 20, 2018

Cheryl Beshke

cbeshke@ndacademy.org

How do we know what we know?

Part I (2017-18)

●  Introduction to course ●  Ways of Knowing ●  Areas of Knowledge ●  Knowledge Questions ●  Personal and Shared Knowledge ●  Internal Assessment - Oral Presentation

Part II

●  Areas of Knowledge ○  Mathematics ○  Arts ○  Ethics

●  Ways of Knowing ○  Imagination and Intuition

●  External Assessment - Essay on a prescribed title

Mathematics - RLSs & Knowledge Questions Big Data - In what way are algorithms limited in their ability to yield knowledge?

Shopping Patterns - To what extent can aspects of human nature be accurately known and understood by math?

Traffic Patterns/Congestion - To what extent can technology assist humans in knowing the most efficient way to solve a problem?

Breaking Spaghetti - How can reason and imagination be used in mathematics to enhance knowledge of natural phenomena?

Arts as an Area of Knowledge

What is art?

●  What sort of things are called art?

●  What sort of things should we call art?

Is this art? ●  An untitled white piece of canvas ●  The song “Happy Birthday” ●  A perfect copy of Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” sold for $3 in a market ●  A poem generated by a computer ●  A white piece of canvas entitled “A Foggy Day” ●  A perfect copy of "Sunflowers" hung in a gallery and called "The

Perfect Copy" ●  Some old bricks and timber randomly arranged and entitled "Building

Site"

The End Goal - Essay (Example Titles)

Given access to the same facts, how is it possible that there can be disagreement between experts in a discipline? Develop your answer with reference to two areas of knowledge.

“Humans are pattern-seeking animals and we are adept at finding patterns whether they exist or not” (adapted from Michael Shermer). Discuss knowledge questions raised by this idea in two areas of knowledge.

Essay Assessment ●  Understanding knowledge questions ○  Investigated with different perspectives ○  Linked to AoKs and WoKs

●  Quality of analysis of knowledge questions ○  Clear arguments ○  Real-life examples ○  Counterclaims ○  Implications