The Slow and Fast Evolution of Knowledge
A Dual Perspective for ToK Essay 3 May 24
If we think of the term “adopt” in the title of ToK Essay 3 May 24 as “evolve” we can develop strong evaluative arguments for this essay.. Sometimes, knowledge seems to evolve (progress?) at an astonishing rate, while at other times, it appears remarkably slow to adopt new ideas. Why is this so?
Let’s first address why knowledge might evolve quickly. Rapid advances often occur when there's an accumulation of research, technology, and collective willpower. A clear recent example is the development of COVID-19 vaccines, where global efforts and unprecedented funding led to quick breakthroughs. Furthermore, the internet has facilitated the fast dissemination of ideas, allowing people across the world to collaborate and innovate at breakneck speeds. Here, the keyword is not just "fast" but "accelerated," underlining the confluence of various factors that propel knowledge forward.
Conversely, there are instances when knowledge is slow to adopt new frameworks. One reason could be resistance from established institutions or authorities. The classic ToK example is Galileo's heliocentric model which faced fierce opposition from the Church, slowing its acceptance despite strong scientific evidence. Another contributing factor might be the complexity of the subject matter itself. Take, for example, the intricacies of quantum mechanics; despite being a century-old theory, it still presents challenges that researchers are grappling with.
In the context of ToK Essay 3, this duality raises important questions. What are the ethical implications of rapidly evolving knowledge? Can quick advances lead to unforeseen negative consequences? On the flip side, when knowledge is slow to adopt new ideas, is society missing out on potential benefits? Could the reluctance to change be more harmful in the long run?
ToK Essay 3 offers us a far wider range of knowledge options than just those presented here if we think of it in terms of the evolution of knowledge.
Find out more about this essay title in the overview discussion with Gareth Stevens.
This is just a start of the type of overview that you can find in our ToK Essay 3 Guidance Notes, in these notes we fully develop the metaphor of evolution as a way to explain why we might be slow to adopt ideas. This year we have two versions of the notes:
The Foundation Notes fully unpack the title, explore different ways to approach the concepts in the title, and explain a number of knowledge arguments that could be used. These notes are 4,000-5,000 words.
The Complete Guide has all of the same content as The Foundation Notes, and in addition has fully explained real life examples to illustrate each knowledge argument.The Complete Guide also has evaluation points and implications for each knowledge argument. These notes are 8,000-11,000 words.
You can find essay guidance notes for all of the essay titles at this link.
Stay Toktastic my friends,
Daniel,
Bangkok, September 2023