2019 Year 12 IB Extended Essays

4

1.2 What is Knowledge? Everyone approaches the concept of knowledge differently, making it one of the broadest bodies of thought. However, certain philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle have provided a framework of ‘knowledge’ that enables humans to create their own meaning. As humans, it is important to define knowledge, as we endeavour to distinguish between knowledge and belief, and define the grounds on which something is accepted as ‘knowledge’. Knowledge leads a path to the truth – another concept in which Plato and Aristotle held in high regard. To humans, time and time again it has been proven that truth should be the guide by which humans live their lives (refer to Appendix 1). 1.3 What is History? The IB defines history as ‘the study of past events; in other words, not the past itself, but our interaction with it.’ (Theory of Knowledge, 2019). In this essay, it will be used as such, to study how past developments and changes in and around the concept of knowledge have affected this concept in today’s society. The IB supports this, in stating that ‘Studying history develops an understanding of the past, which leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of humans and of the world today.’ (International Baccalaureate, 2019). 1.4 What is Philosophy? The IB defines philosophy as a ‘systematic critical inquiry into profound, fascinating, and challenging questions’, that ‘develops highly transferrable skills such as the ability to formulate arguments clearly, to make reasoned judgements, and to evaluate highly complex and multifaceted issues’ (International Baccalaureate, 2019). In this essay, philosophy will be used as it is in the IB, as an inquiry into the challenging, highly complex question regarding