Theory Of Knowledge: Your theory of knowledge essay for examination must be submitted to your teacher for authentication Custom Essay

It must be written on one of the six titles (questions) provided below. You may choose any title, but are recommended to consult with your teacher. Your essay will be marked according to the assessment criteria published in the Theory of Knowledge guide. The focus of your essays should be on knowledge issues. Where appropriate, refer to other parts of your IB programme and to your experiences as a knower. Always justify your statements and provide relevant examples to illustrate your arguments. Pay attention to the implications of your arguments, and remember to consider what can be said against them. If you use external sources, cite them according to a recognized convention.
Note that statements in quotations in these titles are not necessarily authentic: they present a real point of view but may not be direct quotes. It is appropriate to analyse them but it is unnecessary, even unwise, to spend time on researching a context for them.
Examiners mark essays against the title as set. Respond to the title exactly as given; do not alter it in any way.

1.
Ethical judgements limit the methods available in the production of knowledge in both the arts and the natural sciences. Discuss.

2.
“When the only tool you have is a hammer, all problems begin to resemble nails” (Abraham Maslow). How might this apply to ways of knowing, as tools, in the pursuit of knowledge?

3.
“Knowledge is nothing more than the systematic organisation of facts.” Discuss this statement in relation to two areas of knowledge.

4.
“That which is accepted as knowledge today is sometimes discarded tomorrow.” Consider knowledge issues raised by this statement in two areas of knowledge.

5.
“The historian’s task is to understand the past; the human scientist, by contrast, is looking to change the future.” To what extent is this true in these areas of knowledge?

6.
“A skeptic is one who is willing to question any knowledge claim, asking for clarity in definition, consistency in logic and adequacy of evidence” (adapted from Paul Kurtz, 1994). Evaluate this approach in two areas of knowledge.>

The essay must have:
INTRODUCTION:
– Be sure you answer the proper question
– About 10 lines
– Begin with a general sentence to introduce the topic
MAIN BODY:
– Importance of claims vs counterclaims
– Importance of Examples, BOTH from research AND from your personal experiences: every idea HAS to be proven by examples
– Good choice of quotes, with correct references
– Every quote HAS to be explained
CONCLUSION:
– About 10 lines long
– Start the conclusion with a conclusive expression
– It would be good to finish with a sentence that opens a wider discussion in your subject, but dont introduce anything new.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

THE CRITERIAS:
A – Understanding knowledge Issues
–> (For top marks) The essay consistently maintains as its focus knowledge issues that are relevant to the prescribed title. Effective links and comparisons between areas of knowledge and/or ways of knowing are elaborated, so that the essay demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the knowledge issues under consideration

B – Knowers perspective
–> (for top marks) The essay shows much evidence of independent thinking about the knowledge issues related to the prescribed title. The student has shaped the essay in a way that shows both a personal, reflective exploration of the knowledge issues and significant self-awereness as a knower. There is serious considerations of different perspective. Examples chosen are varied and effectively used.

C – Quality of analysis of knowledge issues
–> (for top marks) The inquiry explores with a high degree of insight, in considerable depth and/or detail, knowledge issues. All main points are justified and arguments are coherent and compelling. Counterclaims are explored and evaluated. Implications and underlying assumptions of the essays argument are identified.

D – Organization of Ideas
–> (for top marks) The essay on the prescribed title is well structured, with a clear overall organization. Concepts are used and/or developed clearly: explanations are included, where appropriate. Factual information used to support arguments is correct. Sources of information and ideas are acknowledged; most referencing permits tracing of sources. The word limit has been met.

These 4 criterias are worth 10 marks each, giving a total of 40 marks. The grade boundaries are as following:
E – 0-11
D – 12-19
C – 20 – 27
B – 28-34
A – 35-40

The format requirements:
– Ensure that candidates use DOUBLE SPACING and a font size of 12
– Use a “standard” font such as Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial
– Use Default-sized margins without any added border
– Write the prescribed title at the start of the essay as stated on the list