ToK prep - lesson 4: the power of words

• Filosofie
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Welcome to

Theory of Knowledge

the prequel

What will we be doing?

les 1	les 2	les 3	les 4	les 5	les 6
What is knowledge?	Reasons to doubt	The power of words	Science as a way to certainty?	Connected with communities	The exhibition

What will we be doing?

les 1	les 2	les 3	les 4	les 5
What is knowledge ?	Reasons to doubt	The power of words	Connected with communities	The exhibition

or...

..we do a lesson about knowledge and religion

Do fish know they are wet?

Knowledge question

In what way does language shape what we know?  

In what way does language shape what we know? (I) 

Let's play charades

Let's play charades

• What type of information is easiest to convey without language?
  
• What type of information is the most difficult to convey without language?
  
• Why would being able to use language make your task easier?

In what way does language shape what we know?  

1. It creates and helps transmit knowledge 

In what way does language shape what we know? (II)  

   

Can we know something if we do not have words for it?

In what way does language shape what we know? (II) 

   

Can we know something if we do not have words for it?

Russian:

English:

?

In what way does language shape what we know? (II) 

   

Can we know something if we do not have words for it?

Russian:

English:

In what way does language shape what we know? (II) 

The knowledge & language gallery

• make language groups (home language, dialect, slang, internet language) 
• think of a word, phrase or expression from your language that is typical and specific for this language or culture.
• write down on paper in original language 
• and give an explanation/translation in English 

Example

Gezelligheid, polderen, fietsen, lekker, afspraak is afspraak

In what way does language shape what we know? (II) 

The knowledge & language gallery

What does this word help people understand, notice, or value?

Examples:

• relationships
  
• emotions
  
• nature
  
• community
  
• respect
  
• time
  
• identity

In what way does language shape what we know?  

1. It creates and helps transmit knowledge
2. different languages have different perspectives 

Does speaking multiple languages expand what a person can know?

English is the language of the scientific community. What implications does this have on knowledge?

What do we lose when a language dies out?

In what way does language shape what we know? (III) 

Imagine....

(half of the class needs to leave the room for a minute)

In what way does language shape what we know? (III) 

Imagine, you have a desease. Surgery is a possibility. It can be deadly, but in 95% of the cases, surgery successfully cures the decease.  

What will you do? 

In what way does language shape what we know? (III) 

Imagine, you have a desease. Surgery is a possibility. It can cure you, but in 5% of the cases, the patient dies in surgery.   

What will you do? 

In what way does language shape what we know? (III)  

In what way does language shape what we know? (III) 

terrorist or  freedom fighter?

In what way does language shape what we know? (III) 

terrorist or  freedom fighter?

protest or 

violent disruption of public order?

In what way does language shape what we know? (III) 

terrorist or  freedom fighter?

protest or 

violent disruption of public order?

....?

In what way does language shape what we know?  

1. It creates and helps transmit knowledge
2. different languages have different perspectives
3. language can be used to influence interpretation, judgement, opinions and emotions (framing)

In what way does language shape what we know?  

Want more?

How could you decide if animals have language?

Can mathematics be seen as a language?

Is the homogenisation of language a good or a bad thing for knowledge?

"Formulate one question about something you'd like to dive in deeper or get to know more about."

Religion

emotions

are our thoughts and ideas really our own?

What are we living for

Are we alone?

Why do people think too much and mostly very intrested about researching stuff. Thinking normally is fine but not toooooooo much about each thing.

space

why some people believe and follow some religions and other dont

Are we real?