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IB TOK ESSAY

TITLE: THAT WHICH IS ACCEPTED AS

Batch: May 2014

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Knowledge is an integral part of our life. We humans are constantly searching for and organizing

important data in our minds known as knowledge. However, knowledge accepted by us cant always

be right or reliable. It evolves over time with experience and assimilates into new knowledge that is

more widely accepted and is supported by newer justifications, while what was previously considered

as knowledge is sometimes discarded. So, knowledge undergoes change through the process of

evolution and improvement as we are constantly trying to learn more through different means, ranging

from scientific discoveries to human experiences. It is constantly being viewed from different

perspectives, challenged and has even withstood the test of time in a few cases. Thus, this gives rise to

the question to what extent is the knowledge we currently have reliable?

I was introduced to an experiment by Albert Einstein called the Photoelectric Effect in my 10th grade

physics class. What this proves is that as light is made up of packets of electrons, it has a tendency to

behave like particles. However, in IB Physics, I was introduced to another concept called Youngs

double slit experiment. The results of this experiment showed that when light was passed through two

slits, it created an interference pattern comprised of maximas and minimas. This shows light acting

as a wave as it clearly validates the general characteristics of waves. Both Young and Einstein had

authority and their findings were backed by reasoning and justification. This puzzled me as I

wondered how two completely contradicting theories could be correct. As there cant be contradicting

explanations for one event. I reasoned out that both may be correct depending on the situation. It also

made me think that knowledge, the peculiar can apply to different parameters without being

completely discarded.

Knowledge can be interpreted according to the different perspectives people have. Does that mean the

knowledge we have is subject to change due to different perspectives? History is one of the areas

where the knowledge we have can be wrong to a certain set of people and right to another set. It has its

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own domain as it can be interpreted differently from opposing perspectives. However, at a later period,

they may change their opinion. This does not mean that the previous knowledge was incorrect and

meant to be discarded. It is simply because we, as human beings are subject to changing our opinions

and this may change our interpretation of the event /issue in history.

The Sepoy Rebellion, for example, took place between the Indian soldiers who were working for the

British East India Company during May of 1857. The outbreak had started due to the use of cartridges

in the guns given by the British. These however were made of animal fat, mainly from cows and pigs.

The cartridges then had to be bitten off for the guns to be used. This infuriated the Hindu and Muslim

soldiers who, by religion, were not allowed to taste the products from such animals. Though the

uprising was lost by the Indians, it caused a structural reform in the British rule where a government

was formed as the British Raj.1 Like most historic events, this too was subject to many perspectives

and interpretations by mainly from Britain and India historians,. The word Mutiny had been coined

by the British for this, to show that they had been conspiring against the government, which was an act

of conspiracy. On the other hand, the Indians called it as the first war of independence.2 This event can

also further be related to how emotions play a role in knowledge. The patriotic feeling in the Britishers

made them perceive this event as a mutiny or revolt against the imperialistic policy of their

government whereas the same feeling of patriotism from the Indian historians perspective is seen

when they refer to this as the first was of independence.

This shows how different perspectives and the language used are interrelated, creating different

interpretations. So, if one was to gain knowledge about this from the two perspectives does that mean

that the latter information must be disregarded and redeemed as obsolete? No. This is because even

though the event itself does not change, the interpretation, context and sources do. The knowledge is

1
"India's Sepoy Mutiny." Macro History and World Timeline. Web. Dec.-Jan. 2014.
2
"1857 -War of Independence Vs Sepoy Mutiny." History- Changing Perspectives and Trends. Web. Dec.-Jan. 2013.
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not necessarily wrong but instead is just one way of seeing it. And so even though both the forms of

knowledge are contradicting, they can also be true given the parameters, circumstances or

perspectives. In order to have a proper and unbiased view we must critically analyze different

perspectives before forming a perspective. The implications of not viewing things from different

perspectives may cause problems to the society. It creates intolerance and racist ideas. With proper

reasoning and memory issues and events can be in history gives relevance.

When we talk about knowledge, one of the most important factors that need to be taken into

consideration is its reliability. This then brings us to another question; is the validity of our

knowledge subject to time? Advancements are continuously occurring and discoveries are constantly

being made. The new knowledge we obtain from this often tends to contradict the old one. New

technologies which aid our learning by giving us access to broader areas of data collection, which

were never observable before due to the limitations in our senses, is a good example of this. This

allows us to gain new knowledge that can completely discard old theories/concepts that were once

believed correct.

Technology helps us overcome the limitations of our sense perception and aids in the development of

new knowledge. This is illustrated by the Miasma theory that came into prominence during the 1800s.

The theory stated that the diseases originated from rotten organic matter, which emanated a poisonous
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vapor. This so called poisonous vapor was distinguished and characterized by its foul smell.

Industrialized and urban centers had many problems such as poor, dirty and bad smelling

neighborhoods, which were thought to be the major source of diseases. It was reasoned and justified at

that time that by improving the sanitation in these neighborhoods, the outbreak of such epidemics

could be controlled and reduced. This issue led many to believe that unsanitized areas were the source

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"Miasma Theory." Science Museum. Brought to Life: Exploring the History of Medicine. Web. Jan. 2014.
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of diseases such as cholera, chlamydia and the Black Death. However, it was later on that scientists

found new information which opposed the Miasma theory. As advancements in the microbiology field

and improvements to the microscopes took place, it was deduced with the new evidence that the

spread of such diseases took place because of the spread of bacteria and viruses through air and water.

This was then labeled as the Germ Theory in 1890 and proved by scientific experiments for the first

time by a scientist called Robert Koch. 4

As seen, the knowledge we once had was succeeded by the new, more accurate information gained

due to advancements in technology. This does not mean that the Miasma theory should be completely

discarded as it did serve as the basis for improvements and the gaining of new knowledge. This is

verified by the fact that although the theory of a poisonous vapor was incorrect, the fundamental

concept that staying in clean areas leads to better health is still accepted and used today. And even

though we see that the germ theory is now much more reliable, we cannot limit our thinking to this. In

the future, perhaps with even more advancement in technology, some new concepts or theories can

come into being that may further enhance our understanding about the current knowledge.

If knowledge that was not proved accurately was discarded, does this mean that all knowledge that

cannot be proved or justified should be discarded? No. The periodic table, for example is a systematic

organization of data about different elements according to their properties. This table was created by a

Mendeleev in 1869. He was able to make this table even though Schrdingers and Rutherfords

models of the atom had not been made during this time. The table was not complete and had many

gaps where elements were yet to be filled too.5 So is it possible that a table made without sufficient

4
"Germ Theory." Science Museum. Brought to Life: Exploring the History of Medicine. Web. Jan. 2014.

5
Talbot, Chris. Chemistry for the IB Diploma. London: Hodder Murray, 2009. Print.

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information be justified as revolutionary? Yes. Mendeleevs table was so accurate that by using it, he

was able to predict the chemical and physical properties of elements that had not yet been discovered.

And many years later, new found elements were exactly as he predicted. This opposes our previous

views that we must verify our knowledge to the highest possible degree of accuracy before accepting

it.

Therefore, knowledge is subject to different opinions and perspectives. Emotions and national values

play a huge role in forming these perspectives. Knowledge can also be subject to time, as

advancements in technology and science which is taking place at a fast rate, enabling us to gather

more accurate and reliable information. At the same time knowledge doesnt have to be completely

discarded as it can serve as the basis for newer information. So a lot of the knowledge we have might

not be reliable and accurate to a certain extent; however should not be completely discarded.

Questioning and reasoning to improve what we currently have often leads to new discoveries and

changes to the existing knowledge.

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Bibliography

Book

Talbot, Chris. Chemistry for the IB Diploma. London: Hodder Murray, 2009. Print.

Web

India's Sepoy Mutiny." Macro History and World Timeline. Web. Dec.-Jan. 2014.

"1857 -War of Independence Vs Sepoy Mutiny." History- Changing Perspectives and Trends. Web.

Dec.-Jan. 2013.

"Miasma Theory." Science Museum. Brought to Life: Exploring the History of Medicine. Web. Jan.

2014.

"Germ Theory." Science Museum. Brought to Life: Exploring the History of Medicine. Web. Jan.

2014.