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Arguments and Examples to Consider

Arguments for this question are going to vary depending on how you view the key terms and assumptions in the title and the knowledge issue(s) you choose to explore. Below are a couple of ideas you could consider:
 * Affirmative: Doubt is the source of knowledge. Through the questioning of the world around us we gain new knowledge. The fundamental principals of skepticism allow us to examine our ways of knowing (particularly language, reason and sense perception, through evaluation of empirical evidence) and ensure that we are not basing our knowledge claims on fallacious reasoning, imprecise language or weak evidence. Claims that are solely derived from emotion, intuition, faith, imagination, etc.. and is not supported by other ways of knowing should not be considered knowledge but belief.
 * Counter Argument: Not all that can be known must be shared knowledge. Our emotions, intuition, faith, imagination and creativity can help us to gain personal knowledge about the world that can be valuable. The skeptics take too narrow a view of knowledge and therefore ignore a large portion of the world.

Mathematical logic substitutes symbols for language to prevent the ambiguity of language hindering the application of reason || Results must be replicable in order to be considered valid Popper and Falisification Natural Sciences rely on empirical evidence to support their assertions Any scientific experiment done in IB can be used Any time a Theory/Claim has been disputed and proven incorrect because of faulty application of scientific method || The relative newness of the Human Sciences and the ambiguity associated with human subjects makes HS particularly prone to skepticism Difficulty in establishing causality and the need to large assumptions (i.e. ceritus paribus) Psychological Examples: psychoanalysis, Behaviorists Limitations of Anthropology and Sociology Economics: Predicting the Business Cycle, how much should the government intervene in the market economy (regulation or stimulus), how to reduce unemployment, or address inflation || Selection of evidence and awareness of bias || Different interpretations of literature || Individual moral codes Judicial review of court decisions (i.e. the superior courts review the justifications and reasoning of lower courts) The language of Laws are closely examined to increase or eliminate ambiguity The Talmud (Jewish holy book) is a collection of writings by rabbis debating the meaning of language and making assertions on the interpretation of religious law. Similar ideas in sharia law || __Development Activities__ 1. Explore the potential arguments using the TOK Essay Planner. Can you create a position statement on your selected Knowledge Issue?
 * = Areas of Knowledge ||= Examples to Consider and Further Research ||
 * = Mathematics ||= Mathematical proofs are evaluated based on their content and their application of logic. If found unsound/invalid, they are rejected. It only takes one counter claim/exception to invalidate a theorem
 * = Natural Sciences ||= The scientific method is based in reason and studies are peer reviewed before being published to prevent against errors of reasoning or weaknesses of evidence
 * = Human Sciences ||= Human sciences aspire to replicate the scientific method of the natural sciences, so a number of arguments also apply
 * = History ||= Difference in interpretations of historical events
 * = Arts ||= Knowledge gained from art that is subjective (personal knowledge)- impact a piece of music, sculpture, etc... has on an audience
 * = Ethics ||= Cultural variance of ethical systems

2. Research 3-4 examples in each of the AOKs and attempt to articulate in 1-2 sentences how this example demonstrates your knowledge issue at work. Create a priority example list.

3. Attempt to add three examples to each AOK that you have experienced or are interested in further exploring.