ToK prep - lesson 2-3: reasons to doubt

• Filosofie
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4-6

Welcome to

Theory of Knowledge

the prequel

"Formulate one sentence on what TOK is about."

1. how we know what we claim to knowhow/why do we know what we know
   
2. It is about reflecting critically on nature
   
3. understanding the origin of the knowledge that each of us have
   
4. Knowing what you know
   
5. TOK is about how do I knw the things that I know.
   
6. thinking
   
7. How do we know what we know. its about how we know something
   
8. its about know if we are able to know and if we should kno to doubt about what we know
   
9. Thinking is what TOK is about
   

The knowledge-line

absolute certainty

?

Write down 1 to 6. 

Apply the justification noted for the claim: 

Social media has a negative effect on health.

The how-do-you-know

1. Personal experience
   
2. Expert testimony
   
3. Data
   
4. Logic
   
5. Authority
   
6. Social consensus

Which source felt strongest?

Which was weakest?

Did everyone trust the same justification equally?

Justifications for knowledge

1. Personal experience
   
2. Expert testimony
   
3. Data
   
4. Logic
   
5. Authority
   
6. Social consensus

Which source felt strongest?

Which was weakest?

Did everyone trust the same justification equally?

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

Knowledge question

How does human nature 

impact the reliability of knowledge?  

This cheesesandwich was sold for 

$28,000,-

What does this tell us about human nature?

pareidolia

more examples

What does this tell us about human nature?

pareidolia

more examples

Knowledge question

How does our nature 

impact the reliability of knowledge?  

How does our nature

impact the reliability of knowledge?

• part I (video): why we tend to see patterns (even when there are none) and deceive ourselves 
• part II: we are prone to make mistakes 

What insight about the way humans think does Shermer try to convey?

How does our nature

impact the reliability of knowledge?

• part I (video): why we tend to see patterns (even when there are none) and deceive ourselves 
• part II: we are prone to make mistakes 

II: We are prone to mistakes

Which are deadlier: cows or sharks? 

What does this tell us about human nature?

pareidolia

more examples

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

II: We are prone to mistakes

Cognitive biases are systematic, unconscious errors in thinking that deviate from rationality. They influence judgment, perception, and decision-making. 

II: We are prone to mistakes

Cognitive biases are systematic, unconscious errors in thinking that deviate from rationality. They influence judgment, perception, and decision-making. 

Cognitive biases are rooted in mental shortcuts (heuristics), emotions, or social pressures and they often cause distorted reality but allow for faster, efficient decision-making. 

These biases are universal and affect everyone.

II: We are prone to mistakes

LE: cognitive bias expert groups

Become an expert on your bias and present to others!

1. Make pairs
2. Read what your bias is about 
3. Make sure you can explain to someone else in your own words (use of laptop allowed)

II: We are prone to mistakes

LE: cognitive bias expert groups

Become an expert on your bias and present to others!

1. Read what your bias is about 
2. Make sure you can explain to someone else in your own words (use of laptop allowed)
3. Give one example from your own experience
   
4. Give an example of how this bias can effect society

source: decisionlab.com 

II: We are prone to mistakes

Become an expert on your bias and present to others!

How does our nature

impact the reliability of knowledge?

• we tend to see patterns and deceive ourselves 
• we are prone to make mistakes 

Ask yourself...

How does our nature

impact the reliability of knowledge?

• we tend to see patterns and deceive ourselves 
• we are prone to make mistakes 

Ask yourself...

• How does my nature impact what I know?
  
• How does human nature impact knowledge in society?
  
• Do we need to oppose our natural tendencies? How can we do that?