...TOK ESSAY: SENSE PERCEPTION To what extent can we rely on our sense perception to give us knowledge of the world around us? Before I start going into the sense perception of different individuals and what ‘knowledge’ really means, I’m going to start by dealing with the question as a whole. Although there have been many philosophers, thinkers and in deed, curious people willing to challenge the world around them throughout history, up to date all the questions we have come up with can only be classified into three main groups: those with one correct answer, many possible correct answers and those with no correct answer at all. The title of this essay of course fits into this third category which is – I find – the one to which the most interesting questions correspond to. Now that I have acknowledged that I do not expect to come up with a definite correct answer to this essay’s title, in fact don’t think any one ever will; I want to address a key word in this question – ‘knowledge’. The broadness encompassed in the definitions of abstract nouns such as ‘knowledge’ make it very difficult and practically impossible to pin down their meaning and are thus very complicated words to discuss. Not only are abstract nous very subjective, meaning their full definition varies depending on each individual, but – as it happens with similar words like ‘love’ or ‘hate’ – we barely know as much about them and their meaning as we don’t. This brings us to a very complex and controversial...
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...Locke, 1632-1704, Essay on Human Understanding • a British philosopher • Oxford academic and medical researcher • his association with Anthony Ashley Cooper (later the First Earl of Shaftesbury) led him to become o a government official charged with collecting information about trade and colonies, o An economic writer, opposition political activist, and o finally a revolutionary whose cause ultimately triumphed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. • Much of his work is characterized by opposition to authoritarianism. • This opposition is both on the level of the individual person and on the level of institutions such as government and church. • Locke's monumental An Essay Concerning Human Understanding concerns itself with determining the limits of human understanding in respect to God, the self, natural kinds and artifacts, as well as a variety of different kinds of ideas. • It thus tells us in some detail what one can legitimately claim to know and what one cannot. • Locke also wrote a variety of important political, religious and educational works including the Two Treatises of Government, the Letters Concerning Toleration, The Reasonableness of Christianity and Some Thoughts Concerning Education. Essay on Human Understanding • Locke is often classified as the first of the great English empiricists (ignoring the claims of Bacon and Hobbes). • This reputation rests on An Essay Concerning Human...
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...Business Essay Example - People Management Note: The essay examples we publish on UK Essays have been submitted to us by students. The essays are the student's work and are not examples of our expert essay writers' work. We never publish the work produced by our expert writers as their work is unique to the customer that ordered it. Thank you to all the students that have submitted essays to us. Please use the essay below to inspire and help you with your own studies, but please ensure you reference the essay if you quote it in your own work. As a prospective employee of an organisation, evaluate the usefulness of the knowledge of managing people and organisations in helping you to do your work better. Information for many businesses means both increased profits and increased efficiency within the operations of a company. In this respect then it is reasonable to conclude that information and knowledge related to managing people and organisations would be one of the more critical aspects of this informational system. However while information and knowledge may be of good, and in itself, they are the processes through which we apply this knowledge which often has a vital bearing on the effectiveness of such knowledge. This problem then may be seen as a fundamental one in the continuing success of an organisation in terms of it goals and strategic objectives. Understanding Organisations and People All organisations exist within an environment which displays...
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...IB Theory of Knowledge Essay The traditional TOK diagram indicates four ways of knowing. Propose the inclusion of a fifth way of knowing selected from intuition, memory or imagination, and explore the knowledge issue it may raise in two areas of knowledge. The traditional four ways of knowing are sense perception, language, reason and emotions. Imagination is a subset of the four ways of knowing. My imagination can help guide my emotions. For example, if I were to imagine what I was going to have for dinner I would feel both excited and hungry. As for sense perception, it can also be affected by imagination. If I came home with the smell of something delicious, I would imagine that it would be a food I like, however it may completely be different. The smell of the food could also be something of which I do not enjoy eating. Reason is also affected by imagination, we often imagine what the consequences of our decisions are. The reason behind the decision made is the result of the imagined consequences. The knowledge issue of this topic is how dependable is imagination as a way of knowing, and to what extent does imagination guide us on our pursuit for knowledge. Imagination is the innate ability to combine more than one memory in order to create a subjectively unprecedented visualized experience not necessarily limited by the physical laws of reality. Memory is an experience from which perceptions and emotions are retained...
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...discussed in the framework of mind/body problem. While in the times of Aristotle and Plato it was named differently and explained through objects materiality and soul divinity, the modern perception of the same correlation was emphasized by Descartes as body/mind problem. In the present paper, the essence of the problem is outlined in the context of one of the modern philosophies of mind, meaning physicalism. The main aims of this essay is to identify the corner stone of physicalist concept, its main supporting and opposing arguments, and distinguish which position is the strongest one and understand the reason why. Key words: physicalism, body/mind problem, knowledge, exclusion, consciousness. What is mind? In the history of human thought, there were various dilemmas which the brightest minds of their times were trying to solve and which remained enigmas until our times. The mind/body problem is one of those issues. While, in times of Aristotle and Plato, it was named differently and explained through the objects materiality and soul divinity, the modern perception of the same correlation was shaped by Descartes as body/mind problem. In the present paper, the essence of the problem is explained in the context of one of the modern philosophies of mind, meaning physicalism. The main aims of this essay is to identify the corner stone of physicalist concept, its main supporting and opposing arguments, and distinguish which argument is the strongest and why. First of all, it is worth...
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...How does intra- and interpersonal perception (understanding yourself and other people) contribute to individual success both at university and later at work? Introduction Intrapersonal and interpersonal perception exert a huge influence on one’s life, which is instrumental in achieving individual success. Those endowed with the ability of understanding themselves and other people are inclined to find the route to success. Before figuring out how intrapersonal and interpersonal perception (understanding yourself and other people) contribute to individual success both at university and later at work, a detailed research and a sequence of experiments are indispensable. This essay is just gives a comprehensive study on intrapersonal and interpersonal perception. Firstly, the essay will analyze in detail how intrapersonal perception contributes to individual success in academic performance and later at work. Secondly, it will explain explicitly how interpersonal perception funtions in interdependent relationship among people. Main Body a. Self-regulating and self awareness Intrapersonal perception means self-regulating involving self-monitoring on the basis of self awareness. Accurate self-monitoring of one’s mastery of material is a necessary skill for student success. Such skill enables students to have the awareness of when to prolong or terminate their studying for an exam and modify their studying strategies. Students who are aware of their own cognitive state are able to adjust...
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...Tisha Brady, Instructor English 101 Spring 2010 (614) 783-0546 tbrady@cscc.edu ESSAY 2: Lens of Perception Notes Similar to your second writing response, Essay Two is also about the lens of perception. As individuals, we filter all the information that we receive through the “lens” of human perception. Although we all might be viewing the same thing, it is possible that we will all have a different interpretation of what occurred. In Essay Two you will select a text and write a review. A review provides critical evaluation of the subject through commentary. Your review will allow you to enter into a dialogue and discussion with the author and with your audience. You should offer agreement or disagreement with the writer’s work and identify what may be lacking in the text such as specific knowledge, organization, etc. How will you interpret the text and how does your background shape your understanding of the topic? Can you convince your reader of your interpretation of the text? Your review should include the following information: 1. Name of author, text and theme 2. A concise summary of the content which includes relevant descriptions of the topic, its overall perspective, argument, or purpose. 3. A description of the author’s point of view/lens of perception 4. Note any political, social, historical or cultural context in which the work is written. 5. Offer your interpretation of the text and support your interpretation ...
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...During my Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course I realized that everything in the world is linked to each other, there is nothing separate in the world. I also learned that the base of every subject, Science and project is “knowledge”. The basic definition of knowledge is “the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association”. The whole life of a person is based on the idea of learning and knowing everything which is around us. Nowadays people use different ways of knowing (WOK) in order to get a fully reliable information. ‘There are eight different ways of knowing. They are emotion, faith, imagination, intuition, language, memory, reason and sense perception.’ Each of them has its own purpose, value...
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...IB Theory of Knowledge Essay In what ways may disagreement aid the pursuit of knowledge in the natural and human sciences? Cherno Okafor 000747-034 Weston Collegiate Institute February 20th, 2013 Word Count: 1598 In this TOK Essay, I will be conducting an analysis illustrating how disagreements can be used to aid the pursuit of knowledge in both the natural and human sciences and in some cases, hinder the pursuit of knowledge in these areas. First, it is necessary to define the key terms in this topic, which are “pursuit of knowledge”, “natural sciences”, and “human sciences”. “Pursuit of knowledge” is the act of obtaining knowledge. Natural science refers to the study of natural phenomena of the universe. Fields associated with this are: chemistry (elements), biology (contrasting ideas between Lamarckism and the Darwinian concept of evolution), and physics (gravity). On the other hand, human science refers to the study of people themselves and their behaviours which includes matter in history, literature and philosophy where “man is the measure of all things and human nature” as uttered by the classical Greek philosopher Plato. There is also anthropology, economics, and ethics; for example the explanation of criminal behaviour in cognitive and social psychology in human science. The term “disagreement” is ambiguous in the sense that it can represent a variety of things. For instance, it can refer to a difference of opinion between two people or groups...
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...the thesis sample chapter 1, 2 , 3 CHAPTER I The Problem Introduction Tertiary education or post-secondary schooling is referred to in Education Act of 1982 as “higher education leading to a degree in a specific profession or discipline.” This is to provide a general education program that will promote national identity, cultural consciousness, moral integrity and spiritual vigor, train the nation’s manpower in the skills required for national development, to develop the profession that will provide leadership for the nation; and to advance knowledge through research work and apply new knowledge for improving the quality of human life and responding effectively to changing societal needs and conditions. (Aquino, 2003) According to Aquino (2003), a careful scrutiny of the aforementioned objectives will suffice to impress in the people’s minds the crucial importance of tertiary or college education. There are numerous reasons that college education is important. Among these reasons are gaining advantage over competition, demonstrating aptitude in a specific area and the fact that many job opening require a college degree are few of the top reasons. (http://www.degreedirectory.com). Moreover, college education many more opportunities in working life, especially for higher paid jobs and the chance to work with and be taught by some of the finest and most knowledgeable people. (http://www.importanceofcollege.com). McGuire (2010) stressed that getting a college education is...
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...Alexander Irinarchos ENGL 1102 – College Writing Professor Amy Carleton Reflections about John Berger’s Essay Ways of Seeing I found “ways of seeing” by John Berger, very interesting although only when its applications were focused on general seeing and perception of seeing. The mere part of the essay which focuses on art through history and perception, was of less interest to me, perhaps because it reminded me of a philosophical IB class I had of which similar aspects were analyzed, or simply because I had a hard time grasping all language in the later part of “ways of seeing”. However I due believe John Berger’s main subject that of how we perceive and how we see, is a very intriguing one. The idea of “selective perception” though not mentioned, yet a key underlying theme of the essay, is something I see implication of in my daily life. I recall telling my girlfriend two days ago, about how fascinating it is that often when you learn something new one day, it does always go more than half a day before you strike that exact new knowledge again, though having never seen it before or perhaps more correctly having never perceived and recorded it before! My example the other day was how a realtor who had a Greek last name, told me in a text message that he doesn’t speak Greek but might take Rosetta Stone. I was extremely confused yet did not bother to look the word up, which would have been unnecessary because during my Business Textbook reading later that night...
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...IB Diploma Programme Theory of Knowledge Essay Topic: Can we know when to trust our emotions in the pursuit of knowledge? Consider history and one other area of knowledge. Candidate Name: Akanksha Vardhan Candidate Number: 002602-064 School Name: BD Somani International School School Number: 002602 Word Count: 1597 Can we know when to trust our emotions in the pursuit of knowledge? Consider history and one other area of knowledge. Bertrand Russell, the 20th century British philosopher, once said, “Man is a credulous animal, and must believe something; in the absence of good grounds for belief, he will be satisfied with bad ones.” [1]In our daily conquest to acquire “justified true belief”, [2]it is important that we are aware of the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ influences that contribute to the experience, the pursuit of knowledge, in a way that we are able to consciously weigh the validity of our knowledge claims. Many romantic writers and poets in the early nineteenth century emphasized the importance of emotion in making sense of the world. John Keats once said, “Axioms in philosophy are not axioms until they are proved upon by our pulses” [3] referring to the superiority of our core emotions (happiness, fear, anger, surprise or even disgust) - the strong feelings deriving from our moods, circumstances or relationships with others[4], in gaining an accurate picture of the truth. However, is it possible that the ‘truth’ itself is more complex and what...
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...This critical essay written by Jenny Johnston discusses differing ideas of professionalism in educational discourse, summarises and critically analyses a doctoral research project which highlights the complexities of educational change, along with bringing to light the pure lack of evidence of the link between professionalism and quality education, while discussing the impact upon teachers. There is no one definition for the term ‘professional’, nor one idea about the professionalism in education. Johnston uses the differing ideas of multiple authors to highlight this, along with the differing levels of ideas about how easily teacher quality can be improved through professionalisation. To begin, Johnston explains Sachs’ (2011) view that professionalism and its definition has been a struggle between union leaders, bureaucrats, and academics. However, Johnston notes that teacher’s voices have been invalidated as Sachs omitted teacher involvement in this process. Continuing from this, the perspective that professional...
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...Recently I have studying the Bible on the power of the tongue, and now taking this course on communications; I know realize how communication and identities are an essential part of our lives. In reading chapters and 1 and 2 of Communication in a Changing World (Dobkin & Pace, 2006); I know realize just how imperative it is. In writing this essay I will covey my perception, and various methods of how I communicate in relationships; as well as, the way it affects personal outcomes. In this essay, I will enlighten to you what I have gain knowledge of about the relationship when it comes to communication and identity. Additionally, I will offer a testimonial illustration of how I communicate my gender, social and cultural identities; in response to others. In regards to how communication and identities, I think that it influences each other when it comes to gender, social and cultural identities. In my younger years I had poor communication skills; in which originated from my childhood. For the past 15 years my communication skills have enhanced considerably. I have learned that proper communication skills enhance new perspectives with not only my gender, social and cultural identity; but other as well. If communication is not appropriated a person cannot express his or her beliefs, abilities, feelings or desires in life. A short time ago, I met a person on an online dating site and begun an informal relationship, which later lead to the use of the electronic telephone...
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...the topic. Challenge them as this shows you are thinking critically and independently. Write a thesis statement or mention, which issues you will explore and provide a short overview of which ideas you will discuss in your essay. Avoid dictionary definitions; rather focus immediately to knowledge issues (some which you have identified by challenging the assumptions of the topic). Remember to leave a space between each paragraph. In this paragraph take an example from an area of knowledge. Show how it supports your thesis. Discuss an area of knowledge but make it specific. Instead of talking about science in general, talk about a particular scientific theory or discovery. Remember to discuss counter-arguments i.e. what in what way this example may not provide comprehensive support to your argument. In this paragraph take an example from another area of knowledge, and do the same as above. In this paragraph discuss some of your personal experience and how they link to the topic. Try to keep personal voice throughout the essay. In next few paragraphs discuss how some ways of knowing (perception, reason, language, emotion) are linked to your topic. Tell how these ways of knowing affect what kind of knowledge we gain and reliability of knowledge. Remember to consider counter arguments. Do not only try to prove your thesis by providing supporting evidence but also...
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