TOK Essay Title May 2025
Title 5: To what extent do you agree with the claim “all models are wrong, but some are useful” (attributed to George Box)? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.
The claim “all models are wrong, but some are useful” by George Box highlights the complex interplay between limitations and utility of models in understanding complex phenomena.
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While models may oversimplify reality at times, how useful are all models for understanding, and explaining real-world phenomena? Students need to critically reflective in introspecting on such key ideas raised by this TOK essay title 5.
In mathematics, models are simple abstractions which use mathematical language, concepts, and structures to represent the reality. But to what extent such models explain the reality, is a critical question to consider. Students may look at examples like how the approximation of irrational number π as 3.14 in mathematics may be useful, alongside the reliability and use of the Pythagoras’ Theorem.
In the arts, a model is a conceptual tool used to structure, interpret, or create artistic works. For example, The Rule of Thirds is a simplistic representation of complex reality with its usefulness in creating balanced and aesthetically pleasing images. On the other hand, a model in the arts which is reliable and authentic in its deeper explanation of color is the color wheel.
TOK Essay Title May 2024
TOK Essay Title 5: Do we need custodians of knowledge? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
Natural Sciences
Questions to Ponder:
- Do we need specific entities—say, academic journals or regulatory bodies—to uphold the integrity of scientific knowledge?
- How might the “democratization” of science, such as citizen science projects, challenge the traditional custodians?
My Strong Suggestions:
- Advocate for Expertise: Look, scientific knowledge is complex and nuanced. There’s a reason we have peer reviews and stringent protocols. You can’t just let any armchair theorist contribute to the canon of scientific knowledge. So yes, defend the importance of custodians here.
- Challenge Gatekeeping: But hold your horses! Science doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Public trust in science is important, and this can be eroded if people feel that ‘elites’ are the sole custodians. We need to question whether traditional custodians are inhibiting diversity of thought or access to knowledge.
Real-Life Examples:
- Peer-reviewed journals act as gatekeepers but have been criticized for issues like publication bias.
- Open-source science initiatives aim to decentralize custodianship, but they come with their own challenges, such as the risk of disseminating incorrect information.
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Religious Knowledge Systems
Questions to Ponder:
- What role do religious leaders or texts play in safeguarding spiritual knowledge?
- How does the proliferation of “personal spirituality” challenge the notion of custodians in religion?
My Strong Suggestions:
- Defend Tradition: Spiritual wisdom often spans millennia, encapsulating complex philosophies and ethical codes. That’s not something to be taken lightly. Religious leaders and texts serve as indispensable custodians in safeguarding the integrity and proper interpretation of these teachings.
- Encourage Individual Agency: And yet, spirituality is a deeply personal journey. With the rise of individual spirituality and interfaith dialogues, the question becomes: do we really need a select group interpreting what spirituality should mean for us?
Real-Life Examples:
- The Vatican Archives preserve a vast collection of religious texts but are only accessible to a limited group of researchers.
- The rise of non-denominational spirituality and its impact on traditional religious institutions.
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