Theory of Knowledge

1. Theory of Knowledge Presentations Some more details to consider…

2. Theory of Knowledge: Presentation Structure Other Real-Life Situation Real-Life Situation Other Real-Life Situation application extraction Knowledge Issue (recognized) Knowledge Issue(s) (developed) progression

3. Presentation 1 Science and prediction

4. If you have a theory or a model then you should be able to make a valid prediction…. Presentation 1 Science and prediction

5. Presentation 1: Science and Prediction REAL LIFE SITUATION The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the location of its epicentre Tectonic theory suggests that movements in the plates of the earth crust cause earthquakes under the ocean and this causes massive water surges leading a sunami. Identify a pattern and then you can make a prediction without needing to continuously test. Tectonic theory explains occurrence of a sunami. Sunami occurs. Does that mean that prediction theory is valid? Could there be another reason for a sunami besides the movement of a tectonic plate. The story of the neutron and the atom. Scientific theory states that every atom has a nucleus. If you fire radiation at the centre of the atom then you can expect to have radiation rebound off the nucleus. This proves that atom has a neutron. If nothing comes back then the theory is invalid? Or maybe not. Maybe the conditions of the experiment were flawed. Eg problem with using wrong kind of radiation or a lack of precision in the measuring instrument.

6. Presentation 1: Science and Prediction • Can you say that theory is valid if you can use it to make accuarte predictions? • Theory = “atom has a nucleus”. Fire radiation at an atom. Some of the radiation will be deflected back because of nucleus. • Is there some other reason the radiation would be returned? • Do results agree with model? • If they do then model might be true. It does not prove it 100% to be true. • But I can disprove it? If Nothing comes when I fire radiation at the nucleus then atom has no nucleus. REAL LIFE SITUATION The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the location of its epicentre KNOWLEDGE ISSUE To what extent does prediction test the validity of a scientific theory? KEY: Extraction

7. Presentation 1: Science and Prediction REAL LIFE SITUATION The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the location of its epicentre Sunami tells you that Tectonic theory works. Is this true? Is it true because prediction works the theory then works also? The prediction that works validates the theory. • As long as expeiments agree with theory you keep the theory. • If the results can’t be explained what do you do. Change the theory or modify experiment. KNOWLEDGE ISSUE To what extent does prediction test the validity of a scientific theory? KEY: Extraction Development General nature of scientific theory

8. Presentation 1: Science and Prediction REAL LIFE SITUATION The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the location of its epicentre Geology: tectonic theory as an explanation for continental drift Note: out of 10 slides then 6 should be below the line. Of the 4 above 2 for establishing the relevance of the RLS and 2 for the application to other RLS. Predictions generated by standard tectonic theory Explanatory power, predictions from patterns Strengths KNOWLEDGE ISSUE To what extent does prediction test the validity of a scientific theory? KEY: Extraction Development Application back General nature of scientific theory

9. Presentation 1: Science and Prediction Note: pink boxes Relate to problems encountered during experimentation. It is not possible to have a 100% perfect experiment. Therefore is it possible to justify the theory based on an imperfect experiment? REAL LIFE SITUATION The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the location of its epicentre Application of, and responses to, these difficulties in the context of the tsunami Geology: tectonic theory as an explanation for continental drift Predictions generated by standard tectonic theory Explanatory power, predictions from patterns Observer effects Strengths Problems Problems of induction and generalization KNOWLEDGE ISSUE To what extent does prediction test the validity of a scientific theory? Confounding variables, complexity of interactions Amenability to experimentation, historical versus experimental data Difficulties with measurement, specifying Initial conditions KEY: Extraction Development Application back General nature of scientific theory

10. Presentation 1: Science and Prediction Chemistry: valence shell electron pair repulsion theory REAL LIFE SITUATION The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the location of its epicentre Chemistry: Mendeleev and periodicity Application of, and responses to, these difficulties in the context of the tsunami Geology: tectonic theory as an explanation for continental drift Economics: the Phillips curve Other real-life situations (natural sciences and human sciences) Predictions generated by standard tectonic theory Biology: evolution by natural selection: homology, palaeontology, artificial selection, etc. Explanatory power, predictions from patterns Observer effects Strengths Problems Problems of induction and generalization KNOWLEDGE ISSUE To what extent does prediction test the validity of a scientific theory? Confounding variables, complexity of interactions Amenability to experimentation, historical versus experimental data Difficulties with measurement, specifying Initial conditions KEY: Extraction Development Application back Application onward General nature of scientific theory

11. Presentation 1: Science and Prediction History: can you Use the causes of War to predict Conflict? Faith: does a Moving statue Justify faith? If you don’t see it move Does faith decline? REAL LIFE SITUATION The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the location of its epicentre Application of, and responses to, these difficulties in the context of the tsunami Geology: tectonic theory as an explanation for continental drift Economics: the Phillips Curve. Prediction/ Model fails in 1970’s. Other real-life Situations: how valid is the practice of prediction in other subject areas? Predictions generated by standard tectonic theory Economic migrants raise the level of crime in urban Areas. Forced expulsion Is necessary. Is this Prediction valid. Explanatory power, predictions from patterns Observer effects Strengths Problems Problems of induction and generalization KNOWLEDGE ISSUE To what extent does prediction test the validity of a scientific theory? Confounding variables, complexity of interactions Amenability to experimentation, historical versus experimental data Difficulties with measurement, specifying Initial conditions KEY: Extraction Development Application back Application onward General nature of scientific theory

12. Theory of Knowledge: Presentation Structure Other Real-Life Situation Real-Life Situation Other Real-Life Situation application extraction Knowledge Issue (recognized) Knowledge Issue(s) (developed) progression

13. Theory of Knowledge: Build your own presentation here! application extraction progression

14. Theory of Knowledge: how to construct the presentation? a e Slides 1+2: explain the RLS. Make its relevance Understood. Slide 10: How does ‘prediction’ theory connect with another RLS? What is relevance of discussion below the Dotted line for your real life situation? d Slide 9: How does ‘prediction’ theory connect with another RLS? application Above the dotted line: consider the RLS + apply your discovery to other RLS’s 40% of presentation above the line 60% below the line. (this is a general guide only.) extraction Below the dotted line: Focus on addresing your K.Q. using ‘b’ and ‘c’ to help you Key Objective: make sure you refer to the issue of knowledge building + knowledge construction. How has shared knowledge been affected by this reliance on prediction theory? c Slides 5-8: Highlight strengths + Weaknesses of your Response to the K.Q. Try and Consider the implications of accepting the validity of prediction and the problems of ignoring the use of prediction as highlighted in part ‘a’ Above. b Slides 3-4: Derive K.I. from RLS And Formulate K.Q. progression

15. Theory of Knowledge Presentations