TOK: A Narrative
TOK: A NarrativeTheory of Knowledge a narrative 1. We can think
of knowledge as simplified map of reality 2. We use knowledge to
solve problems (even internal ones) 3. Knowledge can take many
forms depending on the problem it is designed to solve 4. We can
make a distinction between shared and personal knowledge 5. Most
knowledge is shared knowledge 6. Much of this shared knowledge is
organised into areas of knowledge 7. In order to examine these
areas of knowledge, here is the knowledge framework. The framework
specifies: scope, applications, concepts, methods, history; and the
contributions of individuals 8. Within this framework, ways of
knowing occupy a part in some of the sub-sections these can be
useful in analyzing personal knowledge
ToK studies how knowledge is produced and how it is able to
solve the problems that it was designed to solve. It deals in
second order questions questions about knowledge rather than
questions within a particular area of knowledge. These questions
are called Knowledge Questions.
Maps as Representations of KnowledgeThe Map is Not the
Territory
What types of
Maps?GeographicalPoliticalSocio-EconomicTopographicSubwayLocators
in MallsCity Maps
Knowledge is a Simplified Representation of a Complex
WorldComplex Real World Simplified RepresentationTOK Knowledge
Questions
Is there knowledge that mankind has lost?
Consider . . .Musical Instruments: Greek Aulos
Ancient Stained Glass Windows like this of Notre Dame
Consider . . .Architecture: Roman Cement
Languages: Meroitic (a Nubian language that is as yet
untranslatable)
Roman Cement (used by Greeks and Romans) is much more effective
at withstanding weathering and aging (like 2,000 plus years)
whereas modern cement (Portland Cement) is lucky to last 50 years.
Scientists have only recently figured out the secrets (as in 2013)
and it is a much greener technology.Meroitic (also known as
Kushitic): has been deciphered but it is impossible to translate
into any meaning
Consider . .
The lost plays of EuripidesAbout 80% have been lost Right: A
vellum codex fragment from the 4th and 5th centuries AD from his
play Medea
(source: Wikipedia)
What evidence do we have that this knowledge once
existed?Existing artifacts/constructionsIllustrationsReferences in
existing texts
What made this knowledge vulnerable to loss?Overly specifiedLoss
of peoplesLoss of need
What characteristics does comparable surviving knowledge
share?
Six Conditions for Shared KnowledgeThere are shared problems
that motivate the production of shared knowledge and an incentive
for sharing the knowledge at all. The required knowledge exists in
a form that CAN be transported over distance (and time)There are
technologies that can TRANSPORT the knowledge over distance and
timeThere are shared concepts and conventions that allow knowledge
PRODUCED in one place to be UNDERSTOOD in anotherThere are shared
METHODS for PRODUCING this shared knowledgeThere is some element of
shared HISTORY that allows this knowledge to have a shared
significance
Possible Groups for Shared Knowledge
Family groupsReligious groups Groups associated with particular
academic fields such as mathematicians Groups associated with
particular views within an academic field such as neo-classical
economists Groups sharing a particular culture Groups sharing
particular artistic knowledge such as sculptors Groups sharing
particular interests such as fishing Political groups National
groups Ethnic groups
Personal and Shared KnowledgeSHARED KNOWLEDGEKnowledge that CAN
be shared survivesPURELY PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE Knowledge that cannot
be shared (or is not shared for some reason)
Will Gadd: Ice Climber Niagara Falls
Questions to Consider:What does Will Gadd know that you and I do
not know?Do you think his experiences of the water and its
pounding, etc, count as knowledge?Where does this knowledge come
from?
Interview with Will Gadd
15 min. long but could only watch the first 7 minutes or so to
consider the following questions:What kind of knowledge is Gadd
referring to at beginning? What are the consequences if he puts his
knowledge to the test and gets it wrong?What WOKs does Gadd refer
to with his imprint and even later? Could we have have the same?
How could/might Gadd share his knowledge with the rest of the
world? What is the relationship between shared and personal
knowledge?
Some Examples of Personal KnowledgeSkills and abilities I gain
through practice and habit (sports, music, art, crafts, languages,
etc)Knowledge of/about myself, including my emotionsKnowledge about
world around gained via experienceInternal maps of practiced
sensing, e.g. expert wine tasters or tea-tasters, judges at
competitionsKnowledge that could be shared but isnt for good
reasons (e.g. Antonio Stradivari keeps his secret to protect his
violin-business)
Characteristics of Shared KnowledgeImpersonal Shared Criteria
for EvaluationSystematicMap like or Model likeCollective
EndeavorSelf CheckingStrongly Language BasedPropositional
KnowledgeGlobal (not local to one person)Can be analyzed using the
Knowledge FrameworkProduces group perspective
Characteristics of Personal KnowledgeKnowledge by direct
experienceKnowing how it feelsKnowledge of selfPersonal reflection
is an important partCAN be map like but may be more story like
(narrative)Experiential or Procedural knowledgeLess reliant on
languageLocal to person (not global)Difficult to truly communicate
to othersUses the Ways of KnowingProduces Personal Perspective