Sem. 2, Week 2: Language Socratic Seminar

This week we introduced the TOK topics inherent in literature.  In teams, students discussed the plot details of their book pertaining to the kinds of Problems of Knowledge we have encountered in class.  

We noticed a clear pattern and some archetypal themes emerge, no matter the novel/author:

1.  Ethics and conflict seem central to narrative
2.  The style of writing usually complimented the type of story being discussed.
3.  Character emotion and historical context play important roles in the understanding of the novel.

We also completed a Socratic Seminar on the motion: “Language is the greatest Area/Way of Knowing”.  This Socratic Seminar was intended as sort of an introductory discussion regarding the extent to which language effects personal knowledge, communication, and public knowledge. 3 teams independently developed and explained the following issues:

1. An interesting connection between Ethics and Language in regards to consistency: It would seem that language would have little meaning if everyone used language deceptively (said one thing, but did another, false beliefs, etc.).  We will expand on this later.
2. We tried to define Language (albeit with difficulty) as something to do with the interaction between symbols representing things, actions, or descriptions (English-ese: Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives). Also a conversation of Math as an objective language was discussed.
3. The development of language starts as a desire to connect with one another, were it not for this desire (rooted in what way of knowing? Reason? Emotion?), we would not have the complexity of language we do today.
4. The progression of language over time as it relates to the Arts reveals features originating in abstraction (Prehistoric Art), entering a height of complexity (Renaissance, humanism, Modernism), then returning to new forms of abstraction (Post-Modernism).

Excellent Discussions.  It really helps me narrow the scope when discussing language issues.  Many of the topics discussed above would not have been brought to my attention if it wasn't for this hardworking group of students.

Next week: Research methods and TOK Assessment discussion.