ToK Exhibition Prompt 34: In What Ways Do Our Values Affect Our Acquisition of Knowledge?

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Understanding the Key Terms

To tackle this prompt effectively, it’s crucial to understand the key terms: "values" and "acquisition of knowledge." Values can be defined as deeply held core beliefs that shape a knower’s identity. Acquisition of knowledge refers to the various ways a knower attains knowledge, encompassing both formal and informal learning, as well as primary and secondary experiences.

Developing Knowledge Arguments

To develop specific perspectives to this prompt, I recommend formulating three knowledge arguments, each corresponding to a specific object. This approach can help achieve a higher score in your exhibition. If you’re unsure how to choose objects, check out my video, "Choosing Objects for the ToK Exhibition: The Debate."

Knowledge Argument 1: Values affect our reasons for acquiring knowledge

Our values significantly influence why we seek knowledge. The deeply held beliefs that form our identity drive our reasons for acquiring knowledge, often aligning with our personal fulfilment and purpose. For instance, if someone values scientific inquiry, they might use a telescope to gather astronomical data. Conversely, someone concerned about climate change might rely on climate science reports.

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Object 1: Personal copy of Long Walk to Freedom.

In my exhibition, I used my personal copy of Nelson Mandela’s "Long Walk to Freedom" to illustrate this point. My concern about racial inequality led me to acquire knowledge from Mandela’s experiences and insights into his campaign against racial inequality in South Africa.

Knowledge Argument 2: Values affect who we acquire knowledge from

Our values also determine whom we consider as credible sources of knowledge. If a knower respects high-status knowledge sources, they may prefer information from prestigious institutions. For example, someone might prioritise information from the International Baccalaureate (IB) over other sources due to its authoritative status.

LSE Research Blogs page

Object 2: Research Pages from the London School of Economics.

In my exhibition, I have used the Research Blogs page from the London School of Economics (LSE). My values, shaped by my education at LSE, led me to trust the objectivity and rigour of its research methodology. This choice underscores how my respect for this institution influences my knowledge acquisition.

Knowledge Argument 3: Values affect how we acquire knowledge.

Values affect the means and tools we use to acquire knowledge. The choice of medium, whether it’s watching a video, reading a book, or consulting a teacher, is influenced by our values. For instance, someone who values digital media might prefer learning through videos.

Object 3: “Construction of a crossing-symmetric, Regge behaved amplitude for linearly-rising trajectories” Veneziano (1968)

For my third object, I selected Gabriele Veneziano’s 1968 paper on String Theory. Veneziano, valuing theoretical physics and mathematical reasoning, acquired knowledge through reasoning rather than empirical methods. This example highlights how values shape the methods we choose to acquire knowledge.

Conclusion

To summarise, our values influence why we acquire knowledge, whom we trust as sources, and how we obtain it. By considering these aspects, you can construct robust knowledge arguments for your ToK exhibition. Remember, there are many ways to answer this prompt.

For more insights, you can explore my e-book, "Every ToK Exhibition Prompt Explained," which provides detailed explanations and suggestions for each prompt. Or you can buy the notes from that book specific to ToK Exhibition Prompt 34 (linked here) - those notes have different knowledge arguments to those presented here, and are far wider, and more detailed than this blog.

If you have any other prompts or topics you'd like me to cover, feel free to leave a comment or email me at Daniel@ToKToday.com.

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