Jessica TOK

TOK topics

 

 

1. How can the different ways of knowing help us to distinguish between something that is true and something that is believed to be true?

We can distinguish between something true and not true by learning and know from different sources. By going to school, people learn different subjects and gain knowledge by learning which helps us to know what is true and not true from the text books. From science inventions and lab experiment, we been able to know what is true about the earth which some scientific topics might be conflicting with some religion believes. For example some religion believes that their God is the one who is the creation of plant earth and human being but the scientific researches stated that "creation of planet earth all started with a tremendous bang. Somewhere in our galaxy a star exploded, throwing out masses of gas and dust. This supernova, as these explosions are called, happened about 5bn years ago. The wreckage from the explosion then crashed into a nearby cloud of gas, bringing together the ingredients for our solar system to form” By learning from evidence that researches we been able to know what is true and what is believed to be true. 

2. All knowledge claims should be open to rational criticism. On what grounds and to what extent would you agree with this assertion?

I agreed with the assertion of this, I think opinions are very important because some people might know more about that topic than the person who claims it. That knowledge claims might be too impossible to exist or to let people study and believe. Therefore other people need to discuss and criticize to evaluate whether that knowledge claims is reasonable or not.  In my opinion, knowledge is very important to human being and they should believe things that are really true not just assumptions. Before knowledge claims reach to everyone, people should give opinion about it and prove. If all knowledge claims does not open to rational criticism, some people might believe in knowledge that is wrong and untrue, which is really bad. Also, people may make up anything and claims it to be knowledge. Rational criticism helps to choose the truth and reasonable knowledge claims that is useful and could be educated. Good knowledge claims should be the truth and benefits people.

9. Discuss the claim that some areas of knowledge are discovered and others are invented. 

There are some areas of knowledge that are discovered that other that are invented. In science knowledge, it both invented and discovered. For the engineer area of study, they study of something is invented such as car or airplane which are basically what people invented not from discovery. Also, the architecture, which is the study of subject such as the building forms, which building is what people invented. However, the study of astronomy, is study of discoveries such as solar system which been found by Galileo and solar system already exist in natural therefore, it cannot be from inventions. Furthermore, the studies of environment are not invented but from discover for example the dinosaurs been discovered because of the bones that were founded, people does not invent the dinosaurs. The invention is the work what people made up which are technology, art and music. But discovery is what people found out from what already exists in the world but have not been reveal/ expose yet. 


 

 

 

 

Is mathematics a language?

Is mathematics a language?

Language is defined as a communication tool with spoken words, sign and written words. Mathematics is defined as the study of the relationships among numbers, shapes, and quantities. It uses signs, symbols, and proofs and includes arithmetic, algebra, calculus, geometry, and trigonometry.  In my opinion, I think Language is relates to mathematic but it is not the same thing. Language is used in mathematic to represent the rules of mathematics such as ‘Pythagoras’. We use words to represents the techniques/rules that we have to use in order to solve problem. But mathematics cannot really communicate; it is not possible for human being to express feeling and thought through mathematics. Nowadays, we might use numbers to communicate such as ‘55+’ (in Thailand) but, still mathematic cannot express our feelings as deep as using language, it is just a form of sign. Mathematics exist under a certain rules, there are right and wrong and it can be proof. But language has freedom, there are no right and wrong. Even though the grammar might not be correct, but we still understand the language. Therefore, I think language is not mathematics but mathematic is part of language now.

What is the role of language in creating and reinforcing social distintions, such as class ethnicity and gender?

 

 

  In Thailand, there are different kind of speaking words for different classes of people. There are words that can only be use for King and royal family. There are words use for high status people such as Prime Minister which we show the repect by speaking formally to these people, for example, In English there are only 'I' and 'you'. But in Thai, when you speak to the King, you have to start with "ด้วยเกล้าด้วยกระหม่อมขแดชะพระอาญามิพ้นเกล้า" (duay-kao-duay-kra-mom-kor-dae-cha-pra-ar-ya-mi-pon-krao) which this sentence means that "You Highness, may  I excuse myself to speak?" or when you speak to high status people such as Priminister you called the Primister " ท่าน..." (tan..(name)) and you call yourself "dee-chan" (for women) and "Krapom" (for men).

  For middle class people, and when we go socialize, we talk to other people in kind of semi-formal way. You don't need to use "tan" but "dee-chan" and "pom" uis needed to call yourself so that sound polite. Also, "you" usually we say "khun" , this is a polite word which the high society and middle class people speak. But for close friends, in Thai, they called themself in rude words  sich as "gu" means I and "mung " means you. these words can only use for freinds only, but if you use that outside, Thai adults would think that you come from a  low-class family. Which I disagree with this idea becuase originally hundred years ago, the King (porkhunramkumhang) uses "gu" and "mung" himself to speak.

 

In society, everyone need to consider the right choice of word when you talk to different class of people. The words reflect the personality and how you been raise up. For example, if you speak impolite words during socialising, for Thai people will sure comment about you in negative way. NOT only other people will comment about you, they will commment about you family and they would accuse your mom and dad not to raise you up properly. This is very dangerous if you do not choose the words carefully. Moreover, Thai people are really concern about manners and if you come from good family, words/personality became your family's reputation. 

what I believe

 I believe that...

I believe that sucess of people depends on the person hard work and dedication. However, it also depends on oppotunity that the person has too. People who are born in poor family, the poor family might not be able to afford for the good education. I believe that if many poors kids have a chance to go to good school like we do, they might grow up to be a sucessful person. But, it does not mean that its impossible for poor people to be successful. This is because they are many examples of people who are poor but became a sucessful person too. And all those people sucessful they 'never give up' !

What I know...

 I know that....

I know that I am Thai. How do I know this? I know this because there is Thai birth certificate with my name on it. I have a Thai citizenship, Thai ID card and Thai passport. I can speak, read and write Thai language. My mom told me that I was born in Simitevej Hospital and she had shown me the picture of my mom holding me in that hospital. I know the Thai culture very well because I live here for my whole life. That is why I am so certain that I am Thai.