Knowledge Seeking: Our pursuit of knowledge can be driven by curiosity, wonder, or a search for meaning and purpose. Ask yourself: Why am I curious? What drives my desire to learn?

Real World Example: You may be intrigued by space exploration due to curiosity about the unknown, or perhaps you're passionate about climate change because you believe it's important to understand and protect our world.

Perspective and Knowledge: The International Baccalaureate's mission recognizes that different perspectives can lead to different 'right' answers. Knowledge isn't black and white but can be contested and influenced by personal perspectives.

Real World Example: Think about how cultural perspectives shape views on issues like food (consider vegetarianism vs. meat-eating cultures) or clothing (variations in what's considered 'appropriate' attire).

Goals of the TOK Course: The course aims to equip you with the tools to navigate disagreement, engage in debates knowledgeably, and appreciate diverse perspectives.

Post-Truth Era: This era, characterized by misinformation and distrust in expertise, poses new challenges to knowledge seekers. Our understanding of the world must now navigate political polarization and scientific denialism.

Authority and Expertise: When experts disagree, who should we trust? This is a key question to consider in our modern 'post-truth' world.

Julian Baggini's 'Triage of Truth': Julian Baggini, a philosopher, suggests a 'triage of truth' to decide which expert to trust. He asks

•  Are there any experts in this domain? 
• Which kind of expert in this area should I choose?
• Which particular expert is worth listening to here?

Real World Example: Let's say you're researching climate change. There are numerous experts in this field - climatologists, geologists, environmental economists, etc. Depending on your focus, you may need to prioritize one type of expert over another.

Different Domains, Different Expertise: Expertise varies across fields. The reliability of an expert's claim may depend on the nature of their domain. For example, an economist's forecast and a dentist's diagnosis may both come from experts, but their accuracy may differ.

Influence of Pre-existing Beliefs: Our beliefs, often formed through context and history, can shape our view of expertise. To truly know something, it's important to know yourself and understand your biases. Real World Example: If you were raised in a family of doctors, you might instinctively trust medical expertise more than someone who was raised in a family skeptical of modern medicine.

No Substitute for Judgment: Frameworks like Baggini's triage can guide us, but they cannot replace our judgment. Each of us has a responsibility to think critically and make our own decisions. Real World Example: If you're deciding on a vaccine, even after considering expert opinions, you'd still need to use your judgment considering your health, allergies, and personal risk factors.

Consider how expert opinions have shaped your knowledge. Have experts significantly influenced your understanding of the world? Do you often rely on expert knowledge to form your own beliefs?

Recall instances of conflicting expert opinions. How did you decide whom to trust? This might reveal your personal approach to evaluating and filtering information.

Real World Example: When COVID-19 began, experts had different views on the virus's severity, transmission methods, and protective measures. How did you decide which information to trust?