November 2021 TOK Essay Title Breakdowns 2
In this post, I unpack the key terms from the remaining three November 2021 essay titles and suggest some ideas to consider when structuring your argument. For more extensive title breakdowns, as well as ways to apply the different AOK’s and other key TOK concepts to the questions, please check out my November 2021 essay guides here.
Title 4: "Areas of knowledge always rely on a systematic process of trial and error to aid the production of knowledge." Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
Key Terms
‘production of knowledge’
The creation of knowledge which was not previously available to humanity or to a particular society.
‘trial and error’
Trying different approaches or methodologies in order to effectively produce knowledge.
‘systematic’
‘always’
Indicates that ‘trial and error’ is necessary for all knowledge production to some degree.
Ideas to Explore
Sense perception
Axioms
Empiricism
Deductive reasoning
Hypothesis
Post hoc ergo propter hoc
Title 5: "If all knowledge is provisional, when can we have confidence in what we claim to know?" Answer with reference to two areas of knowledge.
Key Terms
‘provisional’
The notion that knowledge is not fixed nor permanent, implies that it is open to change/alteration at a later point.
‘all knowledge’
The assumption of this question is absolute. Any knowledge, no matter how justified, is conditional.
‘when can we be confident’
The criteria which has to be fulfilled for us to have a significant degree of certainty in a knowledge claim whilst simultaneously allowing us to accept that it is subject to change or alteration.
Ideas to Explore
Faith
Knowledge from authority
Axioms
Coherence Theory of Truth
Illusion of Explanatory Depth
Pragmatic Theory of Truth
Title 6: "We are rarely completely certain, but we are frequently certain enough." Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.
Key Terms
‘rarely’
Implies a significant lack of frequency.
‘completely certain’
Having absolute confidence in a knowledge claim or the evidence justifying it being virtually indisputable.
‘frequently’
Suggests it happens relatively often.
‘certain enough’
Could mean that whilst other possibilities are available, we have excellent reason to be confident in a knowledge claim.
Ideas to Explore
Reason
Sense perception
Consensus Theory of Truth
Coherence Theory of Truth
Pragmatic Theory of Truth
Innate knowledge