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TOK: #07 M10 'We see and understand things not as they are but as we are.'

'We see and understand things not as they are but as we are.' Discuss this claim in relation to at least two ways of knowing.

This is the title I'm writing on for TOK. I'm thinking of using perception and reason; I have an idea what to write on perception, but I am having troubles what to do about reason..

I'm also having troubles in trying to figure out what the counterarguments might be. I've come up with something like in AoK such as natural sciences, humans try to use reason and perception objectively.

Also, I'm not too sure what perspective I should take on this topic; is it more along the line of our perceptions getting in the way of viewing the world objectively, or more leaning towards how human minds create ways to interpret the external world (i.e. chairs = made up of atoms, but we recognize it as a chair)?

I also found some guidelines to this topic, but I'm still lost: "Think about whether this claim holds true across different cultural/international boundaries." I get what this is saying, but I can't come up with any legit examples.

Sorry if this was too long to read; any forms of help will be appreciated!! Thank you

Reply 1

lalala31

7

Yeah I think perception is the obvious one to focus on with this question, you should make sure you mention how different cultures view things differently (the ib like that in tok essays) and try and find some examples, for example you could look at how religion affects peoples' understanding of things. Also you could use an example from your own life (another thing the ib likes) of when you've seen something and interpreted it in a certain way, just because you've made an assumption because of the way you've been brought up. You could also try bringing emotion into it? Because obviously if we're feeling a certain way we'll react to things very differently than when we are in a different mood, and I suppose this would link in to perception. In terms of looking at the counter arguments you could use reason as the counter argument, for why we shouldn't be like this because of how it causes our judgment to be flawed.
Sorry I don't know if that's any help, I'm just thinking about how I'd approach it if I were you.

Reply 2

cah2010

I'm doing my essay on the same topic. I was going to use reason as a counterargument. I'm having trouble finding references. Do you have any suggestions?

Reply 3

kristina713

I am doing that essay too, right now actually haha

Reply 4

The Man of the Hour

7

Everyone is doing that topic. Try something original.

Reply 5

Crion

I'm doing it too! Personally I did perception and emotion, but reason is probably a good one. Although, like lalala31 said, reason is probably better for a counter argument - for example, we 'understand' things as we are due to our personal thinking patterns, schemas etc. (you could bring in psychology here if you do it), but if we apply reasoning to a particular situation that we would otherwise have a personal interpretation on, it may turn out quite differently. Sorry this is all rather vague, to do something more comprehensive I'd have to go upstairs and look at my TOK notes >_< Good luck though!

Reply 6

backdraft

The Man of the Hour

Everyone is doing that topic. Try something original.

^Quite frankly I agree, I don't understand the attraction to that question. However, it's hard to be 'original' when the IBO has issued out 10 questions for 70,000+ candidates.

Apologies in advance if there are some errors in grammar or spelling, I've written this in a hurry, but I hope this helps you out, as well as the others googling this question and being led here for help.

So... it's probably too late to change your prescribed question if you find essay writing difficult, so I'll suggest tips for this question instead.

Pay close attention to this point:
THE FIRST MISTAKE WITH MOST TOK ESSAYS is how candidates approach the question...- You are not giving your opinion (hehe, at least not directly). The examiner is not going to read your essay and think to themselves "Wow, I've never thought about it that way!"

The goal is to answer the question objectively and clearly. Hence why you are told to focus on certain AoKs and WoKs, or else your essay would be too 'thin' in substance to properly elaborate on a topic.

Next mistake is how they introduce the question -.-
(Refrain from "defining" the words in the question with dictionary definitions unless its is ESSENTIAL to the question- its seen way too often). After the typical dictionary introduction, they present their first 'argument.'
EXAMPLE- I'll begin with a really sh!te argument: "As an omnivorous species we kill animals because we see them as food, but does that mean they consider themselves as food for others?"

DON'T FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE IBO start your essay like this. Even if you think its a good point and it relates to the question JUST DON'T.

The aim of the assignment is to take a topic and DEVELOP it. If you decide to begin with a complex argument it will only produce a disorientated essay with no clear OBJECTIVE.

The sample argument above isn't horrible but it's not a good way to start things off. BUT it does present the idea of RELATIVISM.
THIS IS NOT SO HORRIBLE- TRY USING THIS THEORY- things are seen differently by different people from different backgrounds, however some things are seen UNIVERSALLY...

Take a really simple point, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, SIMPLE. Then develop your idea. Explaining relativism by elaborating how different individuals see others is extremely difficult and merits much more than an essay written by some student. You are not Socrates, you are CANDIATE NUMBER: 0103941950...

Having said that... I'll provide some guidelines, but be original AND FOLLOW THE RULES. LOOK, YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH TOK CLASSES TO KNOW THAT IN THE END OF A LESSON: YOU CAN NOT BE SURE ABOUT ANYTHING... AT ALL. Even with the simplest of things:
"Hmm, is this orange juice? Or artificial blalhlablalhlabllahlalblalhalblahl" "Is this a chair? If I sit on a table does it become a chair? blahlblalh"

What I'm getting at, is do not pick sides- it will unbalance your arguments.

TITLE:
'We see and understand things not as they are but as we are.' Discuss this claim in relation to at least two ways of knowing.

INTRODUCTION:
What two ways of knowing have you chosen... (Like most I'm sure you've chosen Perception and Reasoning).
Remember: I said DON'T DEFINE words according to the dictionary... so yeah, DON'T.

However you can say something along the lines of "Within this essay I will discuss if to "see" only relates to the use of Perception" ... etc...

and/or maybe even

"When one uses the word "things," is it in reference to physical objects, or the abstract, theories, ideas, opinions etttccc. OR MAYBE BOTH HMMM?"

... and:

What does it mean to "understand" something... When do we know when something has been understood?

This defines the scope of the question, AGAIN: don't give definitions unless necessary.

An idea you could express is also: Can seeing and understanding "things" as "we are," and how "they are" contribute to seeing and understanding things on a different level?

MAIN BODY:
Now start off simple... How do we use perception to see and understand "things" ....
How do we use reason to see and understand "things" ....
Maybe express some simple similarities and differences...

YOU WILL USE AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE TO BACK UP YOUR ARGUMENTS OR COUNTERARGUMENTS.
DO WE USE PERCEPTION AND REASONING DIFFERENTLY IN DIFFERENT AOKS... these are the simple questions you want to be asking yourself. Defining the scope of the question and, the SIMPLE underlying similarities and differences, essentially creates a balanced essay.

THIS IS AN ANCIENT DEBATE- express both sides.

You could explore...
Theory of relativism: we perhaps see and understand "things" in relation to different cultures/backgrounds, context, etc.
I won't give you specific examples because this essay should be written by YOU, but refer to your own life and experiences- this is a good way to back up your claims.

Honestly, you could quite dishonestly just make-up life experiences that support an argument or counterargument.

CONCLUSION:
Shortest part of the essay. I hope it's clear what to mention after a year and a half in the IB... If not, PM me and I will help you...

______________________________________________________

LALALA's point isn't bad, JUST DON'T START YOUR ESSAY LIKE THAT.
K.I.S.S.

KEEP
IT
SIMPLE
STUPID

K.I.S.S.

THEN DEVELOP YOUR IDEA.
This is why so many T.o.K essays are poorly written, because the candidate thinks he/she is revealing a great truth, but merely jumps to it, never explaining the premise or context. Establish and explain your point, and then EXAMPLE- or other way around if you prefer, then briefly describe how this may support the point.

If you need me to look over an essay, send a PM, if I have time I will help you- although your teacher should...
If you need any advice for cutting and essay writing, also feel free to send a PM, AGAIN, your teacher should...

GOOD LUCK,

BACKDRAFT ====3

Reply 7

darkknight9090

5

very useful, thanks

Reply 8

slimsheidy

you rock, thanks

Reply 9

lyssaaax6

I was given two essay topoics for my midterm assignment this week and this was the one i decided to do. However, for mine i had to come up wit ha question to answer, like my mine thesis, based on this quote. I made my question Can we never understand things "as they are" because we have limits or weaknesses that prevent us from truly perceiving the world or the things in it? I am using perception and reason to do my essay, and i must say some of these posts are extremely helpful, thanks!

Reply 10

mel3

If someone needs help I'm also willing to look over some essays. Just send me a pm and I'll get back to you.

Reply 11

metjush

9

While on the topic of ToK essays, just a random question (I didn't want to start a new topic): Are the footnotes (not references) included in the word count? Because the TOK guide is not absolutely concrete in this.

Reply 12

The Man of the Hour

7

Original post by metjush

While on the topic of ToK essays, just a random question (I didn't want to start a new topic): Are the footnotes (not references) included in the word count? Because the TOK guide is not absolutely concrete in this.

Firstly, you should have footnotes RARELY, IF EVER in an IB paper. Even in TOK and EE. And they shouldn't be saying things about your argument but maybe illuminating a word, the origin of your particular conception of a topic and maybe the historical context briefly. I certainly didn't, and I attained As on both papers.
Secondly, footnotes ARE NOT included in the word count, but that's no excuse to put stuff in just to put in "your whole argument." No, footnote rarely and only for the above reasons I mentioned.

Reply 13

backdraft

Original post by The Man of the Hour

Firstly, you should have footnotes RARELY, IF EVER in an IB paper. Even in TOK and EE. And they shouldn't be saying things about your argument but maybe illuminating a word, the origin of your particular conception of a topic and maybe the historical context briefly. I certainly didn't, and I attained As on both papers.
Secondly, footnotes ARE NOT included in the word count, but that's no excuse to put stuff in just to put in "your whole argument." No, footnote rarely and only for the above reasons I mentioned.

I truly hope you're kidding.

edit: footnotes/bibliography are not included in word count.

(edited 14 years ago)

Reply 14

manevanegas

Original post by mel3

If someone needs help I'm also willing to look over some essays. Just send me a pm and I'll get back to you.

i need a lot of help ASAP could you please!?

Reply 15

mel3

Original post by manevanegas

i need a lot of help ASAP could you please!?

Send me your essay and I'll take a look and make suggestions

Reply 16

Kareir

2

Original post by The Man of the Hour

Firstly, you should have footnotes RARELY, IF EVER in an IB paper. Even in TOK and EE. And they shouldn't be saying things about your argument but ma

Are you actually serious?

If you borrow any idea, at all, you have to footnote it. Additionally, even if you say some fact that isn't obvious, it's good to footnote. So, if you say 'most scientists hate religion', but have to back that up somehow.

Of course you need footnotes. Jesus. Some people in my year had like 45+ in their EEs. I had 13, but most of mine was original fieldwork (Geography :tongue:

)

_Kar.

oh, and PS: World lit essays? You're gonna need footnotes on every quote, apparently.

Reply 17

The Man of the Hour

7

Original post by Kareir

Are you actually serious?

If you borrow any idea, at all, you have to footnote it. Additionally, even if you say some fact that isn't obvious, it's good to footnote. So, if you say 'most scientists hate religion', but have to back that up somehow.

Of course you need footnotes. Jesus. Some people in my year had like 45+ in their EEs. I had 13, but most of mine was original fieldwork (Geography :tongue:

)

_Kar.

oh, and PS: World lit essays? You're gonna need footnotes on every quote, apparently.

Cite, don't footnote in MLA, firstly.
Secondly, footnotes are used for explicit discussion that may help your investigation but is not necessary in the main body of your paper.

Reply 18

Kareir

2

Original post by The Man of the Hour

Cite, don't footnote in MLA, firstly.
Secondly, footnotes are used for explicit discussion that may help your investigation but is not necessary in the main body of your paper.

Yes, but when you cite, you must say from where, in a footnote.

_Kar.

Reply 19

The Man of the Hour

7

Original post by Kareir

Yes, but when you cite, you must say from where, in a footnote.

_Kar.

I see we are at a fundamental misunderstanding of footnotes.
What I meant by my comment was NOT that you do not cite. God no. Cite every single thing in your paper, no matter how obscure. BUT Keep in mind-- quantity does not equal quality. You need a lot of your perspective in the paper as well, not just sources from elsewhere. You are a knower! In my A TOK paper, I used 10 footnotes to cite them. What I'm trying to say is that you need to have both interesting sources AND your own interpretation in the paper. Local sources, what you do, the classes you take, other ethnic customs, other interesting philosophers like Ayn Rand or Viktor Frankl...it needs to be an amalgamation.

What I also meant by footnotes was information only partially relevant to your paper. And don't add text as extra space because it will NOT help you.

TOK: #07 M10 'We see and understand things not as they are but as we are.'

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