AREAS of KNOWLEDGE: THE ARTS
Within the Theory of Knowledge course, you will explore knowledge questions related to one or more 'areas of knowledge'. These 'areas of knowledge' are fields of study in which we try to gain knowledge through the ways of knowing. The areas of knowledge roughly correspond with the groups of study within the IB programme, even though there are some additional realms of knowledge such as ethics, religion and indigenous knowledge which are relevant to TOK. Within your TOK classes, you will also explore boundaries and overlaps between different areas of knowledge. The knowledge frameworks are useful tools to analyse the historical development, language, methodology and scope of each area of knowledge. Given that we need to make links between different areas of knowledge, it is not advisable to discuss areas of knowledge in complete isolation. The articles and links immediately below are indeed examples of real life situations which touch upon TOK questions in a range of areas of knowledge. For practical purposes, however, I have organised the resources per area of knowledge. It is up to you to explore them and make further links between areas of knowledge and ways of knowing. Doing so, will hopefully inspire you to develop interesting knowledge questions, which form the basis of TOK assessment. This page discusses the arts as an area of knowledge.
Knowledge frameworks, knowledge questions and topics of study (TOK guide 2015)
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Possible essay questions:
- To what extent are areas of knowledge shaped by their past? Consider with reference to two areas of knowledge. (Specimen 2015)
- “There are only two ways in which humankind can produce knowledge: through passive observation or through active experiment.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? (Specimen 2015)
- “There is no reason why we cannot link facts and theories across disciplines and create a common groundwork of explanation.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? (May 2015)
- With reference to two areas of knowledge discuss the way in which shared knowledge can shape personal knowledge. (May 2015)
- “Ways of knowing are a check on our instinctive judgements.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? (May 2015)
- “The whole point of knowledge is to produce both meaning and purpose in our personal lives.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? (May 2015)
- "Without application in the world, the value of knowledge is greatly diminished." Consider this claim with respect to two areas of knowledge. (May 2016)
- “Metaphor makes no contribution to knowledge but is essential for understanding.” Evaluate this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge. (November 2016).
- “Conflicting knowledge claims always involve a difference in perspective.” Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge. (November 2016)
- Is the availability of more data always helpful in the production of knowledge? Explore this question with reference to two areas of knowledge. (November 2016)
The arts
As opposed to some other areas of knowledge, the arts may be a little bit harder to define. If you are intuitively drawn towards the arts, you may feel that you 'get' what art is all about. Others, however, may struggle to answer the question: what is art? Ms Hackett's PowerPoint lecture (see below) raises some interesting questions in this area as it explores the possibilities of contemporary art. The boundaries between art and other areas of knowledge can indeed be rather obscure and sometimes it is difficult to decide whether something can be considered art or not. Even if you do not actively embrace the arts as an area of knowledge, you may be surprised how often you come across art in your daily life. The media and the entertainment industry, for example, draw hugely on the power of the arts to reach their audience.
Literature, music, visual art and performance art have been part of human civilisations for millennia. Historically, many artistic expressions and creations have been part of a religious or spiritual realm. Some art forms have also served to defend political views of the dominant discourse, yet many people have been able to express subversive views through the medium of the arts as well. The arts and ethics are two areas of knowledge which cover a lot of common ground and many artists raise moral questions within their creations. Art and identity go hand in hand, as can be seen through the way in which story telling, dance and performance plays an important role in indigenous communities. Art also allows for self-expression and art forms such as music clearly tap into human emotions. Imagination plays a substantial role in the arts, both from the point of the creator and the (active) observer.
It is clear that the arts have much to offer. But what is the role of the arts in the creation of knowledge? What kind of truths can the arts unveil that other areas of knowledge cannot?
Beauty and art are not necessarily the same thing, but we will often talk about beauty when we discuss art. Throughout history, humans have searched for beauty in a range of areas of knowledge. Mathematicians, human scientists and artists each have their own interpretation of what constitutes beauty. Yet, does beauty lead to something 'more'? Does beauty hold truth, as Keats's poem "Ode to a Grecian Urn" (see below) suggests?
Literature, music, visual art and performance art have been part of human civilisations for millennia. Historically, many artistic expressions and creations have been part of a religious or spiritual realm. Some art forms have also served to defend political views of the dominant discourse, yet many people have been able to express subversive views through the medium of the arts as well. The arts and ethics are two areas of knowledge which cover a lot of common ground and many artists raise moral questions within their creations. Art and identity go hand in hand, as can be seen through the way in which story telling, dance and performance plays an important role in indigenous communities. Art also allows for self-expression and art forms such as music clearly tap into human emotions. Imagination plays a substantial role in the arts, both from the point of the creator and the (active) observer.
It is clear that the arts have much to offer. But what is the role of the arts in the creation of knowledge? What kind of truths can the arts unveil that other areas of knowledge cannot?
Beauty and art are not necessarily the same thing, but we will often talk about beauty when we discuss art. Throughout history, humans have searched for beauty in a range of areas of knowledge. Mathematicians, human scientists and artists each have their own interpretation of what constitutes beauty. Yet, does beauty lead to something 'more'? Does beauty hold truth, as Keats's poem "Ode to a Grecian Urn" (see below) suggests?
Introductory activities to The Arts in TOK
Preliminary questions for group discussions.
- Think of as many art forms as possible.
- What is art? What isn't?
- What is the object of study in the arts?
- What is beauty? Is it universal?
- What knowledge can you gain from the arts?
- Do you need language to understand or interpret art?
- What is the relationship between truth and beauty?
- How and why do the arts evolve?
- What are the boundaries between the arts and other disciplines?
- Is art culturally specific?
- Which ways of knowing are most/least important in the arts?
- What methods to artists use to create art?
- What methods do artists/ art critics (the audience) use to gain knowledge from art?
- What are the strengths or limits of the arts regarding the contribution of knowledge as a whole?
- What is the relationship between individual and shared knowledge in the arts?
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Ms Gulinck's lecture on the arts and TOK
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Ms Hackett's presentation on ART
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The historical development of the arts.
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Links between the arts and other AOKs
Art and religion
Many (earlier) art forms were created for religious purposes. It was believed that the creation of art could honour Gods, bring us closer to the spiritual or reveal some kind of (ethical) truth. Art is a powerful medium to trigger our imagination of what is difficult to define. Our imagery of heaven, hell, or divinities immediately taps into our spiritual self. Some religions encourage the representation of deities through art because it gives believers a (virtual) place of worship they can more easily connect to. Other religions, such as Islam, forbid such representation.
Religious architecture usually aspired to literally and metaphorically reach to what is above us. This is often done through the creation of well proportioned and interesting structures such as domes, towers, pyramids etc. The use of patterns and light (for example through glass painted windows) can create a sense of spirituality and make us feel connected with our religion.
Even if you are not religious, you may feel special walking into a cathedral, mosque or pyramid. Likewise, religious music may tap into your emotions. Religion has undoubtedly been a major driving force in the development in the arts. On the other hand, some art forms have been censored because of religion. Because religion is so sacred to some, anti-religious art can incite indignation amongst some people. Art, religion and nudity have a funny relationship. On the one hand, artists have explored the beauty of the human form as given to us through our god(s). However, nudity is often censored by religious conservatives. The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo is a funny illustration of this fact. On the Fresco (below right), which can be found on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, you can see that Adam is naked, as he was created according to Genesis. The near touching of God and Adam creates a sense of humanity of God, which is enhanced by their physical likeness. Original, both subjects where painted naked. Yet, Pope Pius IV ordered the addition of fig leaves and loincloths after Michelangelo's death.
Religious architecture usually aspired to literally and metaphorically reach to what is above us. This is often done through the creation of well proportioned and interesting structures such as domes, towers, pyramids etc. The use of patterns and light (for example through glass painted windows) can create a sense of spirituality and make us feel connected with our religion.
Even if you are not religious, you may feel special walking into a cathedral, mosque or pyramid. Likewise, religious music may tap into your emotions. Religion has undoubtedly been a major driving force in the development in the arts. On the other hand, some art forms have been censored because of religion. Because religion is so sacred to some, anti-religious art can incite indignation amongst some people. Art, religion and nudity have a funny relationship. On the one hand, artists have explored the beauty of the human form as given to us through our god(s). However, nudity is often censored by religious conservatives. The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo is a funny illustration of this fact. On the Fresco (below right), which can be found on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, you can see that Adam is naked, as he was created according to Genesis. The near touching of God and Adam creates a sense of humanity of God, which is enhanced by their physical likeness. Original, both subjects where painted naked. Yet, Pope Pius IV ordered the addition of fig leaves and loincloths after Michelangelo's death.
Art and ethics.
Art has the ability to express and appeal to emotion, intuition and imagination. These ways of knowing are closely linked to morality. Many pieces of art consequently make us question our ethical judgement. Art can evoke strong reactions from its audience, which can drive our moral actions. Religious art may appeal to our sense of fear or desire for gratification in the afterlife. Political art can question atrocities such as wars, oppressive regimes and social injustice. Protest songs, paintings and poems are powerful instigators of social change due to their invitation to participation and interpretation of the audience. Art's potential to teach us about what is right or wrong is so powerful that some people feel it is an essential criterion to define (good) art.
Art, beauty and Mathematics
The link between mathematics, art and beauty may not be that obvious to some. However, many artists apply rules of mathematics to create beauty within their work. The golden ration, for example, has been used by architects and painters to create harmony and beauty in their work. This golden ratio can be found in nature as well. In fact, this simple mathematical formula seems to offer some clues as to what we consider beautiful and well proportioned. The links between mathematics, proportion, symmetry and beauty can be explored further in TOK. Is there such a thing as universal beauty? What is the link between maths, music and harmony? Is there beauty in mathematics?
Art and the ways of knowing.
All ways of knowing can be tools to create knowledge in the arts. But are some more important than others?
Sense perception is obviously an essential way of knowing to appreciate the arts. We use our sense to listen to music, taste culinary art, observe a sculpture or painting, appreciate a play or opera and sometimes even to heighten our sense of touch or proprioception. But art is about more than that. Most of us agree that a piece of art communicates an idea and appeals to other ways of knowing in addition to our senses. Many people include the notion of creativity in their definition of the arts. Imagination consequently plays an invaluable role in this area of of knowledge. Imagination is important both for the creation of art as such and its interpretation by its audience. Art has the power to tap into our emotions. Music is a good example of this. Visual art, literature and performance art can also evoke strong emotional responses from its audience. Aristotle valued art highly because of its cathartic power due to its appeal to emotions. By watching a tragedy, we can 'cleanse' our soul and this makes us behave better, he argued. Is this why we like watching soap series? Why we feel relieved having a good cry after reading a sad story? Why we enjoy listening to sad music like Stromae's "Formidable" song below? Plato, on the other hand, valued reason more than the arts and felt that the arts would lead us to become less good. According to Plato, a rational life was better than an emotional life and he felt that the arts would make us more emotional. Do you agree? Have you ever been incited to do something emotional after the appreciation of a work of art (a book, film, song ...)? Is this necessarily a bad thing? Can music incite violence or inappropriate behaviour? If so, should we censor certain songs or art forms? Are there limits to free expression in the arts?
Finally, do you feel that there is room for reason in the arts, both in its creation and/or appreciation?
Sense perception is obviously an essential way of knowing to appreciate the arts. We use our sense to listen to music, taste culinary art, observe a sculpture or painting, appreciate a play or opera and sometimes even to heighten our sense of touch or proprioception. But art is about more than that. Most of us agree that a piece of art communicates an idea and appeals to other ways of knowing in addition to our senses. Many people include the notion of creativity in their definition of the arts. Imagination consequently plays an invaluable role in this area of of knowledge. Imagination is important both for the creation of art as such and its interpretation by its audience. Art has the power to tap into our emotions. Music is a good example of this. Visual art, literature and performance art can also evoke strong emotional responses from its audience. Aristotle valued art highly because of its cathartic power due to its appeal to emotions. By watching a tragedy, we can 'cleanse' our soul and this makes us behave better, he argued. Is this why we like watching soap series? Why we feel relieved having a good cry after reading a sad story? Why we enjoy listening to sad music like Stromae's "Formidable" song below? Plato, on the other hand, valued reason more than the arts and felt that the arts would lead us to become less good. According to Plato, a rational life was better than an emotional life and he felt that the arts would make us more emotional. Do you agree? Have you ever been incited to do something emotional after the appreciation of a work of art (a book, film, song ...)? Is this necessarily a bad thing? Can music incite violence or inappropriate behaviour? If so, should we censor certain songs or art forms? Are there limits to free expression in the arts?
Finally, do you feel that there is room for reason in the arts, both in its creation and/or appreciation?
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Three minutes packed with emotional drama: cathartic or inciting 'bad' behaviour? You decide...
Rhythm, Music, Intuition and Visualisation.
Imagination
On the one hand, art draw its strength from human imagination. Our ability to conceive ideas creatively through the arts can lead us to a deeper understanding of the human condition, ethics and the world around us. On the other hand, we can argue that the arts are limited exactly because of its roots in human imagination. If art is just 'made up', what knowledge can it give us? Natural sciences are often contrasted with the arts because they aim to discover and explore what is really out there. Its methods are much more rigid and there is less room for imagination (beyond the scope of its methodology). But then again, there are situations in which the arts can give us much more powerful knowledge. They can tap into our emotions and make us think of the unthinkable. This is precisely why the arts have been such a powerful driving force towards social change. But also in daily life, we draw upon the arts to make us understand or feel what is hard to comprehend. Stromae's "Quand c'est?" song, for example, can make us feel the notion of cancer in a way that scientific vocabulary can't. The arts can offer us knowledge that the sciences cannot give us. Finally, Denis Dutton's exploration of a Darwinian theory of beauty suggests that there is a connection between natural sciences and the arts. Perhaps imagination and reason can be reconciled through the arts after all?
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Group projects on the topic of the arts.
Choose one of the topics to research in a group. Find real life examples to explain and drive your presentations (for example a particular work of art). Keep the knowledge frameworks and theory of knowledge concepts in mind throughout your research because at the end of the day your research should be focussed on theory of knowledge rather than just the topic as such. You should start from the real life examples of the topic and then focus your research increasingly on the creation of knowledge. Within your research your should look at different perspectives (for example the perspective of other areas of knowledge, opposing expert opinions...), methodology, historical development and the role of the ways of knowing. Offer claims and counterclaims where possible to make your presentation more credible. You have to present your findings to the class. You can include visuals, short video extracts, interactive activities and you can choose the format of your presentation. For practical purposes you may want to use google docs.
Censorship and visual art. |
Music and emotion. |
Creation stories |
Story telling and dance in indigenous cultures |
Performing arts and social change |
Graffiti
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