This was a practice paper for ToK done during IB year 1. At the end you can find the marking and notes from the teacher. Good breakdown of notes at the bottom, can be used for reference to understand ToK paper grading and what is expected for certain scores.
To what extent do the concepts that we use
shape the conclusions that we reach?
Word count: 1 521
“Religion and science have a common ancestor—ignorance.”
—A.C. Grayling
Ignorance is something that has been with us from the beginning of time. Not
knowing and lacking information is engraved in us by nature. Given the vast
extent of our ignorance we somehow began building upon it and creating
knowledge of things did not know of—maybe still do not. This idea gave birth to
science and religion. Both arguably opposing areas of knowledge yet derived
from the same craving of knowledge. Empiricist by nature, science began
trying to explain the many “hows” of our existence through evidence
supported theories. Relying on observation and evaluations through reason,
science carved its path in knowledge—a divergent path than that of religion.
Religion on the other hand, uses metaphysical explanations for the unknown. It
puts its believes and faith into its God to justify its position and hence have the
revelation that evidence is not required in this path but just to believe in the
premise. Due to their differences, both science and religion tackle knowledge
differently, this can be seen in other areas of knowledge such as, ethics and
art.
In the realms of ethics, the use of reason in science and religion lead to
different ethical conclusions. Ethics is a second order process that evaluates
ones morals by examining our sense of morality and code derived from it. It
evaluates actions, thoughts and choices in ones life from other areas of
knowledge. A perfect case in which ethics is put to question is that of abortion.
Most choices have the potential to be moral or immoral depending on the
concept. It is the same for abortion.
In terms of religion, some religions have what can be referred to as an altruist
sense of ethics. This can be seen in Buddhism and their golden rule: “Hurt not
others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” (Udana-Varga 5,1), in
Islamic religion: “he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.”
(Sunnah [or 40 Hadith of an-Nawawi 13]) and many others. Based on these
ideas, it is consequent the disagreement some religions feels towards abortion.
They deem it to be inhumane and some go as far as considering it an act of
murderer. Through the religious ‘lens’ reason is used as the means to justify
the believed premise. This can also be seen from a Kantian ethical point of
view given as the act of abortion could be perceived as immoral since it does
not follow the moral laws of certain religions whose believers feel the duty to
follow.
In terms of science however, there is a more egotistic ethical perception. Many
argue when it comes to legalising abortion for instance, that it is the mothers
choice to make. Science allows us to use observations and make evaluations
and analysis of these, sometimes hinting towards a more utilitarian decision.
For instance, if the abortion where to be requested by a young woman with
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