T.O.K. Presentation
Examples of how to use a Real Life Situation to explore a Knowledge Question.
Real Life Situation #1: Dr. Phil and others continue to perpetuate the notion that vaccines cause autism.
Knowledge Question:
How can we determine the validity of scientific studies?
Extended questions:
What role does the media play in disseminating scientific information?
What role do our emotions play in our understanding of scientific information?
- Application:
Reporting on Ebola crisis.
Global warming
Real Life Situation #2: The ban on importing goods made by child labour.
Knowledge Question:
To what extent can we use emotion to make valid ethical decisions?
Extended questions:
To what extent should we use emotion when making decisions regarding others?
How do we balance emotions and reasoning in this?
- Application:
CIA & torture
Not allocating failing grades
Real Life Situation #3: Mars 1 Exploration 2024
Knowledge Question:
In what ways can ethical knowledge influence discovery of scientific knowledge?
Extended question:
Does ethics help or hinder scientific knowledge?
- Application:
Concentration camps and Dr. Mengele
Animal testing
Real Life Situation #4: Nurse in Maine who refused the Ebola quarantine
Knowledge Question:
How do we know how reliable scientific predictors/determinations are?
Extended questions:
How do we know how reliable predictions are in any AoK?
How much authority/validity do we give them in terms of dictating human behaviour?
Who decides or how do we decide when the good of the majority supersedes the individual’s rights?
- Application:
National Security watch list
Euthanasia: Terry Shiavo
Agriculture and the use of pesticides
Real Life Situation #5: Correlation of Brain Health and Violence
Knowledge Question:
How can natural science help us make ethical decisions?
Extended questions:
How does physiology affect propensity for violence?
- Application:
Bioethics (e.g. genetic screening/testing)
Criminal justice (e.g. establishing guilt and sentencing)
Sports Management
Real Life Situation #6: Government Intervention in Nutrition (regulations)
Knowledge Question:
Can shared knowledge be more valid than personal knowledge?
Extended questions:
When does shared knowledge become necessary to mandate through laws?
- Application:
Assisted suicide debate
Right to bear arms (US constitution)
Real Life Situation #7: Michael Garner case in NYC (July 2014)
Knowledge Question:
How does shared knowledge shape ethics?
Extended questions:
Which is more powerful in the development of knowledge: sense perception or emotion?
To what extent does shared knowledge shape our sense perception?
- Application:
Simpson trial
Ferguson, MO Grand Jury decision
Clinton Impeachment
Real Life Situation #8: Fake “Eye Witness” coming forward in Michael Brown case?
Knowledge Question:
What criteria should be used to determine truth?
Extended question:
Can a criteria be established to determine truth?
- Application:
No video of Michael Brown incident; video of Michael Garner case
Protests stemming from emotion rather than evidence
Real Life Situation #9: Bill Cosby scandal
Knowledge Question:
What is the role of emotion in evaluating an individual’s contribution to shared knowledge?
Extended questions:
How to we evaluate the reliability of evidence?
How does emotion influence your acceptance of shared knowledge?
- Application:
Rape culture on campuses
Jian Ghomeshi scandal and consent
Counter example: Lord Byron
Real Life Situation #10: Controversy over commemorating one historical figure over another (e.g. Florence Nightingale vs. Mary Seacole: History Today article)
Knowledge Question: To what extent do present day preoccupations influence historical interpretation?
Extended questions:
What is the role of emotion in gaining knowledge?
How valid is memory in knowledge acquisition?
- Application:
In the U.S: Columbus Day vs. Native American Day
Rosa Parks