ToK Exhibition Commentary - what counts as knowledge ?
Here's the latest attempt at a ToK Exhibition written after the analysis of the latest Exemplars (uploaded to the PRC on 7th Feb 2023), and a re-reading of the May 2023 subject report. I was trying to focus on developing the specificity of the object links, and contributions to the Exhibition.
Prompt #1: What counts as Knowledge ?
My first object is a childhood note from me to my brother written in a code that we devised as children. The code is meant to be a secret language between my brother and I. The note conveys knowledge which is exclusive to the two of us as the code was devised by, and only understood by, the two of us. The note counts as knowledge because it contains meaning which can only be interpreted by a specific community of knowers. Examples of similar knowledge are the designated areas used in the UK Shipping Forecast, code signs used by military or police personnel, or symbolic meaning within a youth subculture like the Mori Kei in Japan . The significance of the exclusivity of such knowledge is that it either evolved, or was devised, for a specific purpose - communicating meaning in an abbreviated, or telegraphed form. The exclusivity of the knowledge could be one of the purposes of its design (as is the case with the code that I devised with my brother), or it could be an unintended function of the knowledge (as is the case with the areas in the shipping forecast). This counts as knowledge because meaning is derived from membership of a specific group of knowers.
The note is included in the exhibition because what counts as knowledge is both contextual and purposeful. Taken out of context our code becomes little more than a set of squiggles on paper. The context of knowledge comprises those who produce the knowledge, those who acquire the knowledge, and the purpose of the knowledge. Without an understanding of context (usually acquired through membership of a group of knowers) the knowledge can be misinterpreted, or even meaningless (ie no longer knowledge).
However, knowledge which is created to remain exclusive can be understood by knowers beyond the target community if they develop either a deep understanding of the context, the purpose, or tools of deciphering the code. This indicates that what counts as knowledge may not be the content / meaning, but may be the context and purpose of the knowledge community.
The second object is an MRI scan of my left knee, showing a tear in a ligament. The MRI scan was looked at by 2 unrelated medical professionals working in separate hospitals, both medics interpreted the scan in exactly the same way. This image counts as knowledge as it is knowledge produced by a community of knowers who share a standardised method of knowledge production. This community of knowers also share a standardised threshold for what constitutes knowledge. However, what sets this knowledge apart from Object 1 is that this knowledge is designed to be understood beyond it’s originating community of knowers. The MRI scan is knowledge produced using the scientific method, as such it counts as knowledge because of its method of production, its objectivity, reliability, validity and universality. As such the MRI scan is knowledge based on facts.
The MRI scan is included in the Exhibition because some knowledge is not based on opinion, nor meaning which is solely specific to a community of knowers. Such knowledge is produced using methods which are designed for universality across community of knowers, and replication for the purposes of validation, Eg The scientific method. The generalisability, and aspiration for universality, of such knowledge is why this counts as knowledge. This is knowledge which has standardised meaning regardless of context, the knower, nor the purpose of the use of the knowledge. Human and Natural Scientific knowledge should be understood, and interpreted, in the same way regardless of the context of the knower. This is particularly important when we are considering knowledge pertaining to the organisation and maintenance of human life such as engineering, medical and economic knowledge.
However, the objectivity of such knowledge may detract from the individualised experience of the knower. Whilst two MRI scans may show the same condition in two separate people the individuals may experience that condition in very different ways. Knowledge which is designed for objective generalisability runs the risk of losing the meaning of that knowledge which is specific to the individual knower.
The third object is a ticket from a music concert that I attended in May 2022. At the concert I experienced strong emotions of elation, freedom and near transcendence. This was a ‘peak experience’, the closest that I have come to a sublime state. The ticket counts as knowledge as an experience which was the most truthful that I have experienced, but could not be externally validated, nor necessarily shared with other knowers.
Internal knowledge, sometimes called self knowledge represents a form of internal truth. This counts as knowledge to the knower as it can be a very strong form of knowledge.
However, it is not necessarily known to other knowers, nor is it necessarily validated or even agreed by others. As such the ticket is included in this Exhibition because it represents a wholly individual form of knowledge unlike objects 1 and 2. Such internal knowledge can include emotions, experiences, intuition and memories. The internal nature of such knowledge can be difficult to communicate to other knowers, making external validation even more difficult. However, such internal knowledge can have significant influence on the interpretation, explanation and perspectives that knowers form regarding new externally produced knowledge. For example, I will now be more receptive to knowledge which is aligned with the musicians who played at the concert (eg adverts using music from the same band).
Arguably values are a form of such internal knowledge, they may have external labels but are experienced at a near internal level. As values are the basis of interpretation, and perspectives the consideration of such internal knowledge is important if we are to understand what counts as knowledge. Forms of knowledge production designed for a wider community of knowers are influenced by the values and perspectives of the knowledge producer. For example, bio-chemists have to decide which disease to study when formulating treatments, this initial decision can be influenced by values.
Therefore, it is argued that internal, unvalidated, knower specific knowledge (aka “Truth”) is the basis of all knowledge, and therefore is the essence of what counts as knowledge.
I have many more ToK Exhibition Resources, including:
ToK Exhibition What do we know in Feb 2023?
ToK Exhibition Skills Builder Part 1
ToK Exhibition Skills Builder Part 2
What are the ToK Exhibition Examiners thinking?
Daniel, Lisbon, Feb 23