How to solve Essay Title 1 for the Nov 2024 TOK series
Title: Does our responsibility to acquire knowledge vary according to the area of knowledge? Discuss with reference to history and one other area of knowledge.
This essay title asks about the acquisition of knowledge - This means it is about you, the individual learner. This makes it easier since you can think about whether at times you feel responsible and eager to learn new knowledge (in History and another AOK), and also think of times when you feel you’d rather not acquire certain types of knowledge. So this essay title is relatable! It can be solved without pondering too much.
Additionally, since it’s not about the large scale production of knowledge, it is also one of the easiest essay titles for the November 2024 series.
Key words:
Responsibility
Acquisition of Knowledge
Variance - we must ideally not completely dismiss the inital argument, but focus on the variance in the level of perceived responsibility.
History as AOK 1
We know how important it is to be aware of our own history - on a national as well as international scale - since it is a part of our individual and universal identities. The question of whether it is our responsibility to acquire knowledge however, can be a complex one to answer resolutely with a simple ‘yes’ or a ‘no’. Let’s explore the options:
It is our responsibility.
Acquiring knowledge makes us more mindful. Think of events in the collective past, such as the Holocaust, which can make us understand the complexities about everything that happened. As learners, we can collectively agree that such terrible historical events should not recur in the future. With this line of reasoning, we can say that learning about events in the past is our moral responsibility.
It can also make us more culturally informed. Learning about our traditional and cultural roots, as well as our regional and political histories, can help us form a more holistic sense of our own individual identity. We can say that all of us can learn a lot from our roots.
However, it depends.
The thing with historical accounts is that they can possess a fair bit of subjective bias at times depending on the historians who were writing the accounts. This subjectivity could mean there are various interpretations by various historians about the exact same event. This can make it hard for individual learners to analyse and evaluate all the interpretations, regardless of how responsible they may feel.
It can also depend on our priorities. For example, what is the use of looking at historical knowledge in avid detail when you could be updating yourself on the most latest scientific advancements instead? In fact, one could say that focusing on relevant, recent advancements can be deemed more crucial for learners to feel a sense of responsibility in relation to acquisition, instead of focusing on the past.
The Arts
If you think going with the Arts would be a good idea, you can consider:
The Arts are fruitful.
Learning things in the arts can really broaden our perspective. Understanding classical music, literature, the visual and performance arts, can create a deeper understanding of the world around us, and how we fit into it. It also makes us more aware of how we are all connected, and offers insights into different cultures, histories and human experiences.
Art can also ensure we keep our cultural identity as holistic and alive as possible. For example, we can consider it our responsibility to ensure that there is a vested interest in not allowing important aspects of our cultures - such as traditional dance forms, or folk music - fade away and become long-lost traditions that newer generations are completely detached from.
However, it depends.
Even if we are avidly interested in the Arts and like to acquire as much knowledge in it as possible, it is a very subjective discipline with various interpretations. So since people will have differing opinions about any painting or piece of music anyway, it can get difficult to argue that it is our ‘responsibility’ to acquire knowledge about them so we can form our interpretations of them.
The usefulness of the practicalities in the Arts can be seen as quite ambigious for various knowers. In a world that focuses on tangible and straighforward outcomes such as technological, economical and scientific advancements, the nuanced knowledge of the Arts can be deemed less critical or beneficial for each individual knower who are prioritising their time.
The Natural Sciences
If you think going with the Natural Sciences would be a good idea, you can consider:
The Natural Sciences are essential.
Medical breakthroughs as well as scientific and technological advancements can have immensely tangible and practical effects which can change the way we live our lives. We can easily say we have a responsibility to keep ourselves informed and acquire knowledge in the Natural Sciences in order to focus on our collective future wellbeing.
Acquiring knowledge in the Natural Sciences can also ensure that learners can make informed decisions on important issues with the help of their scientific literacy. For example, issues such as climate change require the development of informed policies, but can also help each individual learners make informed choices.
However, it depends.
While an individual can consider it their responsibility to acquire as much knowledge as possible, the complex theories require effort and years of study. Additionally, an expert in a scientic field can definitely have limitations in other fields or disciplines. This aspect of specialisation can reduce the sense of responsibility for individual knowers to acquire such in-depth knowledge.
Sometimes, pursuing the acquisition of knowledge in the Natural Sciences can be quite sticky in terms of ethics. For example, individuals wishing to pursue knowledge in genetic engineering need to be informed about the complexities within the nature of the field itself, so they have the capacity to advocate for ethical regulations and guidelines while pursuing that knowledge.
Related: The Complete Guide to the Nov 2014 TOK Essay Titles
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