5. To what extent do you agree with the directive to “measure what is measurable and make measurable what is not so” (Galileo Galilei)? Answer with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge. November TOK prescribed title #5 starts with “To what extent do you agree…” Read more…
4. Why do we seek indisputable evidence when it is so often unattainable? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge. The first key word / phrase is November prescribed title #4 is actually “why.” It is important to recognize that this question isn’t focused on how, but why. It Read more…
Text: Amanda Maxwell. “Tsunamis, Hurricanes, Eruptions: Predicting a Natural Disaster.” NOW. Extract from the article: “Meteorology for natural events isn’t an exact science. Despite advances in technology, no one can tell with complete accuracy when a volcano will erupt, or how powerful a hurricane will be on landfall. However, observation Read more…
3. Is it better to “have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned” (adapted from Richard Feynman)? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge. The “Is it better to…” part of November prescribed title #3 should not be overlooked. If you choose Read more…
Text: Nyasha Chingono. “‘These are our local heroes’: the artist painting murals of hope in a Zimbabwe township.” https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/mar/07/these-are-our-local-heroes-the-artist-painting-murals-of-hope-in-a-zimbabwe-township Extract: “Street artist Basil Matsika paints murals of local musicians and daily life in the streets of Mbare, one of Zimbabwe’s oldest townships, in the capital Harare. With his brush and Read more…
Text: Scientific American. “There’s Something Queer about That Face.” https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/bering-in-mind/something-queer-about-that-face/h Sexuality in some respects is quite difficult to measure but there has been more recent research that has attempted to get measurable data. The article discusses how one measurement of faces can possibly reveal information about sexuality.
Text: CBC news. “Top Canadian bobsleigh, skeleton athletes call for resignations amid toxic culture allegations.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/bobsleigh-skeleton-canada-athletes-toxic-culture-letter-1.6375978 Extract: “Some of Canada’s top bobsleigh and skeleton athletes are calling for the resignations of the president of Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, Sarah Storey, and high performance director Chris Le Bihan. A group of more than Read more…
Text: Gizmodo. “A creepy 15th century language experiment took place on this island.” https://gizmodo.com/a-creepy-15th-century-language-experiment-took-place-on-1484724484 Extract: “when [King James IV of Scotland] decided he wanted to find out what the “original” language of human beings was, he came up with an interesting experiment. He took two babies, and a woman who Read more…
2. If pushed too far, can open-mindedness itself become restrictive? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge. The phrase “pushed too far” needs to be addressed in an essay on November 2022 prescribed title #2. You may find specific examples that have a solid link to “open-mindedness” but don’t Read more…
Text: Live Science. “Are flat-earthers being serious?” https://www.livescience.com/24310-flat-earth-belief.html Extract: “a fringe society founded in the 1950s, dedicated to insisting that the Earth is flat, has given rise to a modern ground of flat Earth adherents. These believers claim that the Earth is a flat disc, and that evidence that it is round Read more…