Theorists
Father of "Realism"
Who is Aristotle?
How many areas of knowledge are there in TOK?
5 (Nat/Hum Sciences, Math, History, The Arts)
This way of knowing consists in natural instinctive states of mind deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.
What is Emotion?
Type of knowledge that is possible independently of, or prior to, any experience, requiring only the use of reason.
What is a priori knowledge?
A theory that some or all knowledge is impossible. It questions the possibility of knowledge and its justifications.
What is Skepticism?
Famous skeptic philosopher who said, "I think therefore I am."
Who is Descartes?
This area of knowledge deals with subjects like Chemistry, Biology, and Physics?
What is natural science?
Apperception, the mental process by which a person makes sense of stimuli, is part of this way of knowing.
What is sense perception (or perception)?
What is rationalism?
Theory that knowledge is primarily a function of thinking and reasoning from innate and intuitive premises, rather than direct experience.
A theory about knowledge that suggests that reliable knowledge requires evidence and a logical framework.
What is Justification?
What is nihilism?
Friedrich Nietzsche held that this brand of philosophy, which held that nothing has meaning, is inevitable.
This area of knowledge concerns subjects like Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology.
Human Sciences
Lexicon and grammar are two key principles in this way of knowing.
What is Language?
A cousin of "skepticism," this philosophy presupposes that all knowledge is "constructed," and results from agreed upon conventions rather than objective truth.
What is Constructivism?
The process of creating multiple, unique ideas or solutions to a problem that you are trying to solve. Notable critic of modern education, Sir Ken Robinson, argues that modern schools kill this kind of reasoning.
What is divergent thinking?
What is existentialism?
Soren Kierkegaard is the father of this branch of philosophy, which held that we are each responsible for creating purpose or meaning in our own lives, apart from religion, education, or government.
What is Historiography?
Principles of logic, like deduction and induction, are key factors in this way of knowing.
What is Reason?
Philosophy which holds that something is true only insofar as it works and has practical consequences.
What is pragmatism?
A position holding that whether a proposition is worthy of pursuit or acceptance depends on whether it is useful.
What is Utilitarianism?
What is Empiricism?
Francis Bacon is often credited as the father of this philosophy, which holds that nothing can be known apart from experience and material evidence.
This classical Greek philosopher said, "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato
Possible area of knowledge which can be defined as discerning or considering truths from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning.
What is Intuition?
Akin to "scientism," but not to be confused with empiricism, this philosophy asserts that the only authentic knowledge is scientific, and can only come from positive affirmation of theories through strict methods of observation.
What is Positivism or Scientific Positivism
A foundational proposition or assumption that stands alone, which cannot be deduced from any other proposition or assumption. (Two words: F, P)
What is first principle?