when should we trust our senses to give us truth?
When should we trust our senses to give us truth? Does truth exist? This is one of the most pressing questions that keep revolve around the human mind. What is truth? According to The Oxford American Dictionary; truth is the quality of being true, true as in 'in accordance with fact. In accordance with correct principles or accepted standard, genuine, loyal faithful.' However we must be aware of the fact that truth is a subjective word. What is true for one man may not be for another, what is considered a 'true story' may not be considered so according to which country or culture a person lives in. Our sensory perception is one of the ways of knowing. It is an extremely important part of our psychological and physical make-up. I believe we cannot live without it. I will be exploring several examples in this essay to ascertain whether we should trust in our senses to discover the truth or not. Humans can judge an idea or a fact whether it is true or false by using reason as well as their senses. I would like to argue that reason is not really accurate since I've always had a problem in determining whether the facts and ideas that I learn are true even if they seem reasonable sometimes. The knowledge that we are obtaining is not always reliable. We need to question it. Most of mathematical or scientific knowledge is based on tried and tested methods. However when
Which sources of knowledgebooks, web sites, the media, personal experience, authorities or some other - do you consider most trustworthy, and why?
Which sources of knowledge-books, web sites, the media, personal experience, authorities or some other - do you consider most trustworthy, and why? The human hunger for knowledge will never be satisfied. This is why people utilize various sources such as books, web sites, the media, and personal experiences to gain a greater understanding of the world. From the afore mentioned sources of knowledge, all of them are secondary except for one's personal experiences, meaning that the knowledge we obtain is from other people's research and observations. There are many limitations to both these types of knowledge (primary and secondary) when assessing which source is the most trustworthy. Although, before assessing which source is the most trustworthy, we must first define what trustworthy knowledge is and how we can recognize it. One normally equates trust with the truth, as defined by a source's credibility and reliability. If a source is seemingly reliable, we may say that it is true and thus we can trust it. Another basis to take into consideration is whether the knowledge gained is supported by positive evidence and whether the knowledge is coherent (fits in with our current understanding of things). If both these criteria are present, we can deem the source of knowledge to be trustworthy. Thus, one can determine and recognize which source is the most trustworthy by basing them
When mathematicians, historians and scientists say that they have explained something are they using the word explain in the same way?
TOK Essay When mathematicians, historians and scientists say that they have explained something are they using the word explain in the same way? Word count: 1367 In everyday language the term "explain" can mean many things, and is generally applied to prove something or make it more comprehensible. However on a more complex level it could mean many things, depending on the subject it denotes. It is therefore clear that it is very significant in the Theory of Knowledge. However, one must clearly establish the difference between making an idea easier to understand, and actually proving it. As we have seen in our class discussions, the "truths" acquired by different areas of knowledge are naturally different, it is therefore interesting to see what information is used, and what is meant by the word "explain" in different contexts. What could a mathematician imply by the word explain? Maths is a conceptual science which deals with abstract elements that are strategically arranged, so as to form a mathematical explanation or formula. However maths may also be considered as empirical, for children for example, using arithmetical building blocks to understand basic maths. We know maths is true, an independent of subjective experience, which is called priori. The theorem of Pythagoras works, and is positively "true", in Siberia and Tunisia, it was true in 1957 and will be true
To Kill a Mocking Bird
Socialising is a very complicated process, for we often make unjustified assumptions that lead to misunderstandings or even worst, it might even cause the innocents to suffer. In "To Kill a Mocking Bird," it was demonstrated a number of times, both in court and in every day life, often caused by people's limited observations skills causing misjudgements; Jem and Scout made that mistake, thinking his dad is "old and feeble" and maybe useless but in reality he is actually a great shooter who doesn't like to boast about his talents. I truly admire the Atticus's personality, he was not thought highly by his town folks because he was humble and was not bind by the "fashion" in town. Harper Lee had uncovered the truth of human nature; because of Atticus's appearance and modesty, he was not justified fairly. Just like the old saying goes, "Don't judge a book by its cover", sadly, this is a philosophy that many cannot achieve. Inessential factors including bias, appearance racial hatred and so for always get in the way of justification, twisting the fact into the justifier's favor and that is when injustice happen. In To Kill a Mockingbird, this had happened a number of time, even children had inherited this bad vile trait, including the main characters- Jem and Scout. In chapter 10, it was demonstrated when they were justifying Atticus on p.98: "Our father didn't do anything. He
To Kill A Mockingbird
Commentary writing on To Kill a Mocking Bird In the book "To Kill a Mocking Bird", the author depicts Scout as a brave, innocent, boyish and yet intelligent young girl. These characteristics of little Scout is demonstrated through her various speeches, her actions and her thoughts throughout the story. As a narrator of the whole novel, Scout reflects on every single happening in her life and shares her own opinions about the people and events around her with the readers. It is from these reflections and opinions of Scout, that the readers are able to conclude of Scout's true nature and personality. There are many examples shown in the book, where Scout is displayed as a young brave girl, compared to all the other kids at her age. One example is the scene where Scout bravely speaks up to the teacher to help the poor boy in her class who did not bring lunch with him. "I turned around and saw most of the town people and the entire bus delegation looking at me. Miss Caroline and I had conferred twice already, and they were looking at me in the innocent assurance that familiarity breeds understanding." Nobody in the classroom was brave enough to tell the teacher about Walt Cunningham's background, except Scout, to whom they all automatically glanced at for help. From this scene, it is clearly seen that Scout not only leaves a brave personality and impression in the minds of her
The use of volumetric flask, burette and pipette in determining the concentration of NaOH solution
Experiment 2 Name Teoh Han Xuan ID No 11ADB05289 Partners Name Loo De Jing Date 13 June 2012 Title The use of volumetric flask, burette and pipette in determining the concentration of NaOH solution Objectives 1. To carry out acid base titration 2. To determine the end point with the use of indicators such as phenolphthalein Introduction In a titration, a burette is used to dispense measured increments of one solution into a known volume of another solution. The object of the titration is the detection of the equivalence point. In the reaction of HCl and Naoh, the equivalence point does occur when same mole of HCl has reacted with same mole of NaOH. The titration technique can be applied to many types of reactions, including oxidation-reduction, precipitation, complexation and acid-base neutralization reactions. An indicator is a substance that undergoes a distinct color change occurs is called the end point of titration, the indicator used in a titration must be selected carefully. Material & Apparatus NaOH solution, HCl solution, Phenolphthalein solution, Beaker, Burette, Pipette, Volumetric flask, Erlenmeyer flask, Funnel, Watch Glass Procedures 1. The volumetric flask was cleaned and rinsed with distilled water 2. 5 ml of NaOH solution was transferred into the volumetric flask
Transpiration Investigation
Investigation into the effect of varying light levels on the transpiration rate of the Cherry laurel, Prunus laurocerasus L. Introduction In vascular plants movement is water up the xylem from the roots to the leaves is an essential process, responsible for supplying the plants tissues with water and maintaining cell turgor (which has a role in preventing the plant wilting). Aside from the weak "push" effect of the difference in water potential between the soil and the roots, the main force for transpiration in water evaporating from the spongy mesophyll tissue in plant leaves. The rate of evaporation depends a number of factors- some directly affecting the rate at which water evaporates (such as temperature, wind speed, humidity) and others affecting the number of stomata that are open, such as light levels. The use of a gas pressure sensor is a well-documented way to measure the rate of a plant's transpiration. The plant cutting is inserted cut-end-on to a plastic tube full of water, the other end being connected to a gas pressure sensor. As the plant takes up the water through the transpiration stream the volume within the tubing deceases, and the pressure changes with it. So if the change in pressure is recorded over a period of time the transpiration rate can be calculated from these values Hypothesis There are two factors that may affect the rate of
The vocabulary we have does more than communicate our knowledge; it shapes what we can know. Evaluate this claim with reference to different areas of knowledge.
7. ‘The vocabulary we have does more than communicate our knowledge; it shapes what we can know’. Evaluate this claim with reference to different areas of knowledge. There are a number of knowledge issues implicit within this question. Firstly, it implies that it is what we can know that is shaped by language, not how we do know. The connotations are that, for example, if you don’t know computer-related vocabulary, you will not be able to know about computer-technology. An alternative example would be that the vocabulary we use limits our knowledge, so that, for example if your language had only the word ‘stubborn’ for the concept of determination, you would not understand that determination could also be viewed more positively. This view can be criticised as, if it were true, we would not be able to learn anything new. The idea that vocabulary shapes what we can know, then, may be seen as an erroneous idea. It is more likely to shape how we know, but not even how we can know as, by learning a different language for instance, I could easily change my vocabulary and thus expand the way I think and know. The word ‘shape’ is also involved with this specific knowledge issue as it connotes the idea of moulding and limiting knowledge to a specific form. Hence, this idea may also be fallacious since it implies that vocabulary influences what we can know, not how we
The vocabulary we have does more than communicate our knowledge; it shapes what we can know. Evaluate this claim with reference to different areas of knowledge.
Alex Antezana 5/4/12 IB Theory of Knowledge Essay Word Count: 1598 ‘The vocabulary we have does more than communicate our knowledge; it shapes what we can know’. Evaluate this claim with reference to different areas of knowledge. This statement pursues to make a claim that could buttress the epistemology of the modern world and depict the limits upon us as beings. Knowledge acquisition is an intricate process, constantly being changed, limited and influenced by many factors, and the ‘truth’ behind the knowledge we attain is often problematic depending on the different depictions of the ways of knowing being used. In this sense, though vocabulary communicates knowledge, it can also shape what we know because vocabulary does not encompass all aspects of the knowledge, missing the totality of reality. If there were no exhaustive knowledge of the underlying concepts and meanings of vocabulary, the knowledge that we can gain from the vocabulary would be inadequate. Although vocabulary can be exclusive and restricted, the absence of vocabulary does not imply the absence of knowledge. As we consider and examine the problems with vocabulary and knowledge acquisition, a critical knowledge problem arises: Is knowledge derived from new vocabulary (thus influencing our thoughts and behaviors), or is vocabulary developed as a mere response to new knowledge? Before
TOK
To what extent is it possible to overcome the double ambiguity and vagueness in language? In what contexts might ambiguity either contribute or impede knowledge? Does the balance between precision and ambiguity alter from one discipline to another? Knowledge is information that forms the basis for human thoughts and actions. Among these are theories and experiments of scientists, who work together to create our knowledge of the outside world. Knowledge has historically been identified by language, logic and human beliefs. Language is a set of symbols that is used as a form of communication and language performs different functions. Can language be well used without knowledge? For a word to have a meaning in a language knowledge is needed, but this is only for the knowledge needed to write. There are many other languages that are used (eg: Handspeak). Ambiguity is the doubtfulness, particularly as to the meaning of language, arising from a word having more than one meaning and vagueness is when words are not expressed clearly. As language is a part of reality and thought, ambiguity and vagueness is possible to overcome if the common sense view is used, which is we think first and then we express our thoughts. This is also because language is dependent on thoughts. For example like Ludwig Wittgenstein said for a word to have a meaning in a language there have to be
