Thinking for yourself

The student will learn the purpose of TOK.

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SAMPLE TOK LEsson

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Starter

In groups, discuss one thing that you know with certainty to be true?

Then, list how you know this truth to be true.

Be prepared to discuss your justifications.

Think, pair, share - ‘justification’

In groups, share your responses and compare the justifications used to determine “truth.”

Be ready to share your ideas.

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Evaluating our answers

Move to rank the following justification:

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I learned this truth from a teacher.

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Weak justification

Strong justification

Evaluating our answers

Move to rank the following justification:

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I learned this truth from CNN.

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Weak justification

Strong justification

Evaluating our answers

Move to rank the following justification:

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I’ve experienced / witnessed / observed this truth.

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Weak justification

Strong justification

Evaluating our answers

Move to rank the following justification:

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This truth makes sense with other things that I know to be true.

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Weak justification

Strong justification

Evaluating our answers

Move to rank the following justification:

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I believe this truth.

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Weak justification

Strong justification

Table groups - the Q-Anon conspiracy

Watch the video.

• What is the Q-Anon conspiracy?
• What justification do the followers of the conspiracy offer for their claims and beliefs?
• How strong is the justification that they offer?
• Does their form of justification undermine their belief? Explain.

“An entire exercise in finding out what is true”

Watch the video.

• What is science for?
• How does scientific thinking differ from conspiracy thinking? - use the term ‘justification’ in your response.
• Which leads to more valid knowledge - and why?

“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence” (Carl Sagan)

Do you agree with Sagan? How does this statement fit in with what we looked at in today’s lesson?

Going further...

• A Guardian article, considering how we sometimes need to draw on more than facts to support our knowledge claims, and try to combat conspiracy theories. Key terms Facts, Information ecosystem, Participatory disinformation, Senses of reality
• A Vox article, which tries to explain the way in which conspiracy theories take hold, and the consequences of people embracing them. Key terms Fringe communities
• A Wired article, that considers why the Q-Anon conspiracy has taken root, and the role of technology in perpetuating its central creed. Key terms Memetic frames, Media-wraparound effect, Distrust
• This DW video looks at how conspiracy theories develop - and how the present situation exacerbates this tendency. Key terms Conspiracy narratives, Randomness, Control, Coherent, Implausible, Power
• A Big Think video, featuring Michio Kaku discussing why we believe in non-scientific explanations without valid evidence. Key terms Superstition, struggle, genetic predisposition