Theory of Knowledge

Obey: Andre the Giant Feed the People

2009-05-28T08:28:00.003-04:00

Shepard FaireyInstitute of Contemporary Art
BostonMay 29, 2009

In your last blog for the year, please take a few moments and THOUGHTFULLY answer the following questions. One sentence answers are not acceptable.
Blog must be posted by June 1st.

1. What is your emotional response upon entering the exhibit? Please explain.

2. What is your emotional response upon leaving the exhibit? Please explain.

3. Does emotion interact with reason, sense, perception and language for you in this exhibit? If so, how?

4. Is this an American culture exhibit? How might someone from a non-Western country respond to this exhibit? Why?

5. Can one appreciate theatre, music and art using only the rational mind or must Emotion play a role? Explain.

Final Exam

2009-05-25T18:49:00.002-04:00

There are two components to the Final Exam.

1) Presentation. Please refer to the Presentation Rubric on the right under "Alchin's..." Also consider Bird's advice. The rubric will be multiplied by 5 to get 100 points.

2) Research Skeleton. Please refer to the example and the rubric to the right. The rubric will be multiplied by 2 to get 100 points.

The Final exam will be worth 200 points.

Please be prepared to present the day of your exam. Inform me at least 24 hrs. before if you need technical/computer assistance. Your time limit will be 8 min. max!

A hard copy of your Research Skeleton should be handed in the day of the exam for full credit.

Extended Essay Homework

2009-05-11T20:38:00.006-04:00

Be sure that you are keeping up with the EE Library HW Assignments. They must be submitted to the Librarians the following workshop to receive full credit. All assignments are listed to the right under Extended Essay.

What was/is due:
May 18-22: Workshop 4 - No HW due. Presentations in class.

May 15: Parent & Student Sign off sheet due

May 12-14: Workshop 3 - HW due May 18

May 5-7: Workshop 2- HW due May 11

May 6: Supervisor Registration Form due

April : Workshop 1- HW due May 1

ToK Essay

2009-04-30T08:12:00.005-04:00

In a 3-5 page TYPED paper, please address the following question. Essays are due May 22.

I. Why are informal fallacies (i.e. Ad ignorantiam, Hasty Generalization, Circular Reasoning, Special pleading etc.) often plausible and convincing?
II. In regards to Enron, when, where and by whom were they formulated? Please be specific and cite the movie and the Gladwell reading (only if you want an A or a B).
III. Are there circumstances under which the use of informal fallacies can be justified? For example, in public advertising campaigns aimed at persuading us to donate money for good causes. Consider Gladwell's quote that "It's your fault as well." What are the implications of this? What would be the counterclaim?
IV. Have you ever used informal fallacies? In a paragraph, provide specific details on when this occured.

Opening paragraph, body, transitions and conclusion needed to receive highest mark on Organization section of rubric.
The essay will be graded on the ToK Essay Rubric found on this blog.

Enron #3

2009-04-27T18:08:00.005-04:00

Please read the rest of the Gladwell article on Enron and answer the following questions. Your answers must be posted by May 8.

1. What does Gladwell mean when he says that, 'Puzzles are "transmitter-dependent"; they turn on what we are told. Mysteries are "receiver dependent"; they turn on the skills of the listener.'?
2. Why didn't Enron have to pay taxes on their S.P.E.'s? What would be Enron's defense? Can you name the Illogical Fallacy present?
3. Did Enron try to hide the fact that they weren't paying taxes?
4. Why does Gladwell claim that, 'Woodward and Bernstein would never have broken the Enron story.' Why don't you think anyone asked about Enron's financial statements? Is there a fallacy at work here?
5. Gladwell claims that, 'Mysteries require that we revisit our list of culprits and be willing to spread the blame a little more broadly. Because if you can't find the truth in a mystery—even a mystery shrouded in propaganda—it's not just the fault of the propagandist. It's your fault as well.' Do you agree with the implications of this statement?
6. What was the advice of the Cornell students to anyone who held Enron stock?

Visiting Seniors Reflection & EE Assignment

2009-04-27T10:05:00.005-04:00

Please take a few moments to reflect on the visit by Seniors. What is the ONE PIECE OF ADVICE that you took away from their presentation? What can you do to follow that advice? What might keep you from following the advice? This Blog is due April 29th.

Also, remember that the Library has an assignment due May 1st. This must be completed ON TIME and will be a ToK grade. Late work will not be accepted. If you lost the sheet, please look directly under the Extended Essay heading on this blog.

Mr. Andre Reflection

2009-04-13T16:18:00.002-04:00

Please take a moment to REFLECT on Mr. Andre's presentation in ToK. Did you learn something new? Did you enjoy his riddles? Why or why not? How do you think the Riddles about Monopoly and the Explorers relate to the story of Spider and Black Deer? This post must be completed by April 15.

Enron #2

2009-04-11T07:47:00.002-04:00

Please answer the following questions from the Enron article. Answers must be posted to your blog by April 18.

1. How does a Special-Purpose Entity (S.P.E.) work? Why does the "partnership" giving money to your company make a big difference?
2. How did Enron pit "twists into the S.P.E. game?" What does it mean that Enron "didn't always put blue-chip assets into the partnerships"? What was problematic about Enron using its own executives to manage the S.P.E? What was Enron's guarantee?
3. How did the world come to learn of Enron's use of S.P.E.'s? Is Gladwell correct in claiming that this is another example of a mystery? Explain.
4. What is the difference between "scrounged up" and "downloaded?"
5. Why does Gladwell claim that "It scarcely would have helped investors if Enron had made all three million pages public."? Explain what Gladwell means when he says, "But here the rules seem different." Who is Andrew Fastow?
6. Why has he "Disclosure Paradigm" become an anachronism?
7. Why did treating the German secret weapon as a mystery prove to be more useful? Specifically, how did the "propaganda analysts" (the batty geniuses) use reason to uncover the Nazi V-1 Rocket?
8. How has diagnosing Prostate Cancer transformed from a puzzle to a mystery?
9. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, how has "the situation facing the intelligence community has turned upside down?"
10. How does Admiral Bobby R. Inman believe the U.S. should strengthen the U.S. intelligence system? Why was his answer seen as unusual?
11. Gladwell writes: In a post-Cold War world of "openly available information," Inman said, "what you need are observers with language ability, with understanding of the religions, cultures of the countries they're observing." Inman thought we needed fewer spies and more slightly batty geniuses.

Does this curriculum sound familiar?

Enron #1

2009-04-02T18:55:00.004-04:00

Please click http://www.gladwell.com/2007/2007_01_08_a_secrets.html and read the first few pages of Malcolm Gladwell's Open Secrets. Then, answer the following questions. All answers must be posted to your blog by April 8.

1. How did Anne Beliveaux respond to Jeffrey Skilling's claim that he was "innocent of every one of these charges." What were the charges?
2. What was Daniel Petrocelli specifically asking Judge Lake to do? What was the response of the judge?
3. What is the difference between a Puzzle and a Mystery? Be as specific as possible! Please consider why Gladwell does not believe the difference to be "trivial."
4. What does Gladwell mean when he states: "Puzzles come to satisfying conclusions. Mysteries often don't."
5. Initially, what did most people think of the Enron scandal? Did they think it was a Mystery or a Puzzle? Why would it matter? What does Gladwell think?
6. Please explain Mark-to-Market Accounting.
7. Gladwell claims that: "When a company using mark-to-market accounting says it has made a profit of ten million dollars on revenues of a hundred million, then, it could mean one of two things..." Please explain the two possibilities. What did Wall Street Journal report Jonathan Weil's source want him to find out?
8. What is the connection between subprime loans and Mark-to-Market Accounting?
9. Why did Weil find Enron's financial statements "sobering?"
10. Why was James Chanos interested in Enron?
11. Who was Bethany McLean?
12. Why does Gladwell believe Watergate to be a classic puzzle?
13. Did Jonathan Weil have a Deep Throat?
14. Why was Weil concerned that the officials at Enron weren't concerned about who would win the 2000 election?
15. After considering how Weil got his information, why does Gladwell believe Enron to be a mystery?

Egyptograms

2009-03-30T18:16:00.001-04:00

Please post your notes from the Egyptogram lessons. Also, please refelct on the Egyptogram experience. Did you enjoy the exercize? Why or why not? Be sure to comment on the Kpelle reasoning story in the Egptogram packet. Please publish this post by Friday, April 3.

Wild Child Assessment

2009-03-15T20:28:00.004-04:00

Choose from the following possibilities for the Wild Child Assessment. The option chosen must be posted to your blog on March 27th. If not, you will receive a zero for the assignment.
You may work in groups (two people max). All group members will receive the same grade.

In all options, you MUST address the following TWO questions.

1. Why does Dr. Itard want Victor to speak? (you should consider the questions asked on Genie, p. 72) to get the the heart of this question.

2. How does Dr. Itard hope to teach Victor:
a) Perception
b) Language
c) Reason
d) Emotion

Please be specific by citing the film Wild Child, Genie and Abel in your response to these questions.

Option A:
Create a piece of artwork on your blog that addresses the questions.
*BOTH Questions must correspond to the art and be fully answered(40 pts)
*Must be evidence of planning and effort (10 pts)
*It must be creative and of high quality (50 pts)

Option B:
Re-write a popular song/poem with lyrics that answer the questions.
*BOTH Questions must correspond to song and be fully answered(30 pts)
*Must be evidence of planning and effort (10 pts)
*It must be creative and of high quality (30 pts)
*Song must be at least 20 lines, clean with correct spelling and grammar (30 pts)

Option C:
Create a Movie/Music Video that includes Victor and or Dr. Itard
*BOTH Questions must correspond to video and be fully answered(30 pts)
*Must be evidence of planning and effort (10 pts)
*It must be creative and of high quality (30 pts)
*Video must be at least 10 minutes and clean (30 pts)

Please see me if you have any questions or concerns.

Genie #2

2009-03-15T11:37:00.002-04:00

Please read the rest of the Genie packet Chapters 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 & 14 and answer the following questions.

1. What was so significant about Chomsky's argument?
2. What do you make of Chomsky's bird argument on p. 36?
3. Do you agree with Chomsky's claim about the island at the end of Chapter 7? Please explain your answer.
4. In Chapter 10, why were Genie's observers pleased to see her hitting other children?
5. Describe how Genie's language was developing.
6. After reading Chapter 11, what are the primary differences between the reading and the film?
7. How did the film, Wild Child impact the symposium members? What is meant by: "all of us saw in the movie what we were prepared to see to confirm to our own biases."?
8. What do you think of Dr. Elkind's quote on p. 59? How do you feel about Dr. Freedman's suggestion on p. 59-61
9. Why was it important for Itard to teach Vistor to "imagine the needs of others (p. 73)"? Does CAS do this? Why or why not?
10. After reading Chapter 14, do you agree that Truffaut's film ending was too optimistic?

For full credit, please post these questions to your blog by March 22nd.

Language Essay Re-Write

2009-03-15T11:26:00.005-04:00

This week's optional assignment consists of you re-writing your Language Essay. If you simply re-write the essay on your blog, I will add up to 4 extra credit points. If you wish to get up to 7 extra credit points, please re-write the essay on the blog, adding my comments from the graded rubric. If you do add, please put in red on the blog. For the full 10 extra credit points, rewrite the essay on the blog, add my comments, and then add anything from the Abel Questions that we discussed in class. For example, maybe address Inscrutability of Reference or Chomsky's Linguistic Competence in terms of sign language. For full credit, please post the essay by Wednesday, March 18th.

In Class EE Questions

2009-03-04T13:44:00.003-05:00

In Class, get into 4 groups based on subject and please answer the following questions:

1. What components are missing?
2. What are the strengths of this paper?
3. What questions come to mind after reading this paper?
4. How might reading this paper help you plan for the Extended Essay?

This is not a graded assignment. There is no need to post the answers to your blog.

Genie

2009-02-26T17:18:00.003-05:00

After your class has written the in-class essay, please read Chapters 1, 2, 4 and 5 of Genie. I apologize for the disturbing content, but the material is essential for our future discussion of Language. Once you have read these chapters, please answer the following questions and post them to your blog. The answers are due March 4.

1. What was Psamtik's experiment? What did he hope to learn? Did he?
2. Rymer claims on pg. 5 that "while his experiment was flawed in fulfilling its declared intention...it embodied both the theological questions and the practical quandaries that still bedevil the discipline." Where did Abel hint at this same concept?
3. Why do Linguistics and Astronomy "constitute an unlikely sisterhood"?
4. Why was the Social Worker concerned about the young girl that came to her Welfare Office with her mother?
5. Consider the history of Linguistics outlined in Chapter 5. Please explain how the study of language grew from the religious to the biological and finally to the psychological.

Through Deaf Eyes & Abel In Class Essay

2009-02-22T17:25:00.007-05:00

In a 45 min. in-class essay, please answer the following question:

Using the Documentary Through Deaf Eyes and Abel's Chapter 7, please answer: "To what extent do the use of Oralism and Sign Language impact the Deaf view of reality?

If you base each paragraph around the following questions, and you specifically mention the documentary and Abel, you should be well on your way to addressing the question:

A) How does The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis apply to Deaf Culture?
B) How did Oralism and Signing facilitate, extend, direct or limit thinking?
C) If the Deaf use the Oral method or Signing, is what they KNOW different in each language? Does each "language" provide a different framework of reality?
D) What role does Abel's explanation of Sense and reference play in how the Deaf might use Oralism or Signing to view reality. Consider Abel's quote" "Though meanings require words, they are not identical to words.” (p. 68) and that we use ‘linguistic symbols to organize experience” (p. 69)?
E) What are the implications of your claims? What would be a counter-claim?

Add an Opening Paragraph and a Conclusion and you'll be all set. As in the past, it is Open Note, but please don't write the essay before class. I would like everyone to write the essay by hand - no laptops please.

The essay will be given the following days:
Block B: Thursday 2/26
Block F: Thursday 2/26
Block E: Friday 2/27
Block G: Monday 3/2

You will be graded based on the ToK Essay Rubric.

I would love to see outlines and to assist you in preparation for this essay. Please see me.

Eyak Language

2009-02-03T18:46:00.008-05:00

Please Listen to the NPR stories entitled: Eyak Language & The Sound of Vanishing Languages. How far should we go to preserve a dying language? In your answer, please consider the following questions:
a) What are the arguments on both sides of the debate in promoting a single language?
b) How far should we go to save a dying language? What are the financial and cultural implications?
c) After reading: Every Teacher is a Language Teacher, what do think of the I.B. supporting International Mother Language Day?

This journal must be posted on February 14 to receive full credit.

Earth vs. Eyeth

2009-02-03T11:17:00.004-05:00

Please read Radicalism in Deaf in the Culture under Language Articles on my blog. Then, answer the following questions.
a) What is the primary argument of the students representing Deaf Culture?
b) Why would the Deaf Culture students value a President of Gallaudet who spends more time in Eyeth over Earth? Shouldn't a President of a college represent all students?
c) What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Deaf person spending too much time in either Eyeth or Earth?
d) What is your opinion of the fight at Galludet? Should Jane K. Fernandes be President of Gallaudet?
This journal must be posted by February 7 to receive full credit.

Abel Ch. 7

2009-01-22T14:09:00.001-05:00

January 26

Please read Chapter 7 of Abel and answer the Study Questions on this blog.
Answers are due on your blog on February 2.

Presentation Reflection & Warspeak

2009-01-20T18:48:00.003-05:00

Please reflect on the Presentations by your peers. In your opinion:
1. What did the class, as a whole, do well?
2. What does the class need to work on in regards to presentations.
3. What did you do well in preparation for and during your presentation?
4. What could you have done better?

Next, choose an article from CNN, Christian Science Monitor, Fox or even NPR and examine the piece in terms of Warspeak. Be sure to attach the link to your blog and be very specific in your analysis.
This post is due January 23rd.

ToK Exam Presentation

2009-01-12T14:07:00.001-05:00

January 8-12

Your Midterm will be in the form of a presentation. Be prepared to present on the day of the exam. Please consult the Presentation requirements and suggestions on my blog.

Language Notes

2008-12-14T18:50:00.004-05:00

December 16

Please post the following definitions by December 23. In your description of the term, please DEFINE it and the provide an EXAMPLE from class.

1. The Three Components of Language

Theories of Meaning
2. Definition Theory
3. Denotation Theory
4. Image Theory

Problems with Language
5. Vagueness
6. Ambiguity
7. Secondary Meaning (i.e. Denotation, Connotation and Euphemisms)
8. Metaphor
9. Irony

Problems with Translation
10. Untranslatable Words
11. Idioms

12. Labels
13. Stereotypes
14. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Emotionally Laden Language
15. Emotive Meaning
16. Weasel Words
17. Grammar
18. Revealing and Concealing

Also, please post your notes from the Language Lecture of Mr. Pontes.

Diving Bell Essay

2008-12-03T16:52:00.000-05:00

In 1200 words, please type an answer to the following question. Due December 15.

In consideration of the book and film, The Diving Bell and The Butterfly as well as your own life, to what extent can we distinguish between knowing as an individual and knowing as a community? How much of one's knowledge depends on interaction with other knowers?

In writing the essay, consider how you and Bauby would answer the following:
a) What are the strengths and limitations of knowing as an individual vs. knowing by community?
b) Is there any way to gain knowledge by Description and Acquaintance (the Abel definition) without depending on interaction with others?
c) In gaining knowledge, which is the most powerful way we justify our knowledge claims: intuition, empirical sense perception, reasoning both by induction or deduction, memory, authority or divine revelation?

Diving Bell #5

2008-12-03T16:33:00.000-05:00

Please answer the following Questions on your blog. The answers must be posted by December 7.

1. Read The Ladies of Hong Kong. Think of a place you know by smell. Can you adequately describe it? Which situation is more horrific? Bauby's or Jean-Paul K. Please explain your answer.
2. After reading Wax Museum, why do you think Bauby is "fond of all these torturers"?
3. Read The Mythmaker and explain why you think Bauby has admiration for Olivier. What is the connection between memory and emotion?
4. Why do you think Bauby likes the song A Day in the Life? Why do humans always wait for life's crescendo? Why do you think he places this chapter towards the end of the book?
5. Read Season of Renewal. Why is he savoring the last week of August? Is there something we can learn from him beause of his reaction to the end of vacation?

Diving Bell #4

2008-11-30T16:11:00.003-05:00

December 1
Please answer the following Questions on your blog. The answers must be posted by December 5.

1. After reading Vegetable, respond to Bauby's statement: "I belonged on a vegetable stall and not the human race." Why do you think it is necessary for humans to put people into categories? Is our language so limiting in describing the world that we need a way to ourganize our thoughts?
2. Bauby claims that, "Capturing the moment, these small slices of life...I hoard all these letters like treaure." What do you hoard and why?
3. Read Outing and respond to Bauby's statement: "I know who he is, but who is he really?" Is he getting any closer to understanding what makes people tick? Also, why will Bauby never tire of the smell of French Fries?
4. Read Twenty to One. Bauby claims that, "the memory of that event has only come back to me now, now doubly painful: regret for a vanished past and, above all, remorse for lost opportunities." Do you ever look back on something in your life as a "small near miss"? Is it ever beneficial to have regrets?
5. Read Duck Hunt and explain what Bauby means by the statement: "I must have butterfly hearing."
6. Read Sunday. Why do you think Bauby dreads this day?

White Man's Burden

2008-11-21T12:12:00.001-05:00

November 21

Please take a few moments and comment on the film we saw in class. In particular, did any part of the film make you 'think twice'? Please explain your answer.

Diving Bell #3

2008-11-19T13:15:00.004-05:00

November 12
Please answer the following Questions on your blog. The answers must be posted by November 23
1. What is significant about the last line in Guardian Angel?
2. What is ironic about the photograph he recieves from his father in The Photo?
3. Do Bauby's dreams give us any insight into his condition? Be specific.
4. Where is Bauby's butterfly in My Lucky Day?
5. After reading, Our Very Own Madonna and Through a Glass, Darkly, Bauby seems to have regrets about not appreciating small moments from his earlier life. Can you think of a moment from your own life that you did not truly appreciate until it was over? How can we learn to live so that we appreciate significant moments. Is this even possible?

Diving Bell #2

2008-11-16T19:00:00.004-05:00

November 15
To receive full credit, this post must be made by November 20

1. What do you think of Bauby's line in Bathtime when he states, "But I see in the clothing a symbol of continuing life. And proof that I still want to be myself. If I must drool, I may as well drool on cashmere."
2. Considering how Bauby wrote the book, does it matter that he happened to speak French? How would have the writing of the book been different if he spoke Japanese or Chinese?
3. Why does Bauby find his appearance humorous?
4. After reading the Chapter, Cinecitta, think of a place where, if given one last opportunity, you could spend an afternoon. Why did you choose this place? Please describe it in detail.
5. After reading Tourists, please think of why we don't make more of an effort to connect with those that might look or act different than us.
6. Read Sausage and then consider the following: if you couldn't eat again, what meal would you miss the most? Please describe what it looks and tastes like.

PINK NOISE

2008-11-11T20:57:00.007-05:00

November 15

Please listen to the following NPR story: NPR Morning Edition - Pink Noise

Then, answer the following question. Why do you think Pink Noise works? Do you think Sturgis should pump in Pink Noise throughout the school? Why or why not?

The Diving Bell & The Butterfly #1

2008-11-09T16:10:00.003-05:00

November 10
To receive full credit, this post must be made by November 15

Please read The Prologue, The Wheelchair and Prayer and answer the following question on your blog. This assignment is work 25 pts. It must be posted by Thursday Nov. 13 for full credit.

a) What is 'Locked-in syndrome'? Why would one consider Bauby's condition a prison? What is the significance of The Butterfly?
b) What was Bauby's "frightening truth'?
c) In your opinion, how do you think Bauby should measure progress? Why do you think Bauby ends the chapter "Prayer" with the phrase, "I set out for the kingdom of slumber with this wonderful talisman, which shields me from all harm."

Abel on Perception

2008-11-02T19:46:00.003-05:00

November 4

Please read Abel's Chapter 4 and answer the questions under the Perception heading on the Left of this page. Please post answers to your blog. Answers are due Friday, November 7th.

In Class Essay

2008-10-27T09:52:00.001-04:00

October 27
Be prepared the week of Oct. 27-31 to write an In-Class Essay (Open Note) on the following:

What is the role of Perception in Attaining Knowledge?

Blink # 2

2008-10-22T09:32:00.005-04:00

October 23

Please copy and paste this question on to your blog and answer it:

From the website, please read Pages 67-85: The Chapter entitled, Seven Seconds in The Bronx.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/375808/Malcolm-Gladwell-Blink-The-Power-Of-Thinking-Without-Thinking

Then, go through each section and explain how it applies to our study of Perception. Just write 2-3 sentences and be sure to provide a quote to support your argument.

The Sections are:
1. Three Fatal Mistakes
2. The Theory of Mind Reading
3. The naked Face
4. A Man, A Woman and a Lightswitch
5. Arguing with a Dog
6. Running Out of White Space
7. Something Told Me...
8. Tragedy on Wheeler Ave.

The Biology of Perception

2008-10-21T18:23:00.002-04:00

October 21

What were your impressions of the lecture and Test from Dr. Gillian? In your opinion, what should the average person know about how our brain perceives the world? What are the larger implications of this?

Blink # 1

2008-10-13T21:10:00.006-04:00

October 14

Please copy and paste this question on to your blog and answer it:

From the website, please read Pages 27-36: The Chapter entitled, The Warren Harding Error.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/375808/Malcolm-Gladwell-Blink-The-Power-Of-Thinking-Without-Thinking

Then, answer the questions under the Perception heading entitled The Warren Harding Error.

The Mouse That Ate The Cheese

2008-10-07T08:47:00.002-04:00

October 7

Please answer the following question on your blog:

Based on our conversation in class, what is the point of the story: "The Mouse That Ate The Cheese?"

Platonic & Personal Knowledge Test

2008-09-23T11:33:00.002-04:00

October 6-10
During the wek of October 6-10, be prepared to take the Platonic & Personal Knowledge Test again if you did not like your score from the previous test. If you have any questions or concerns about what or how to study, please make an appoitment to see me at lunch or after school.

Knowers & Knowing I

2008-09-01T21:20:00.005-04:00

August 28

Please copy and paste this question on to your blog and answer it:

What were your impressions of the first class? Are we our Name, our Family, our Sex, our Nationality or our Location? If not, then what is responsible for our identity? Do we have an identity apart from our community?

Knowers & Knowing II

2008-08-27T21:43:00.009-04:00

September 5
Please copy and paste this question on to your blog and answer it:

From the website http://www.gladwell.com/ read the article from The New Yorker Archive, Do Parents Matter? (Aug. 17, 1998). Please click here to read: http://www.gladwell.com/1998/1998_08_17_a_harris.htm

Then, read another article by the same title, Do Parents Matter? from Levitt and Dubner's website relating to their book Freakonomics. http://freakonomicsbook.com/thebook/chapter.html Please click here to read: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2005-05-03-parents-edit_x.htm

How would Gladwell respond to the identity question from August 27th? How would Levitt and Dubner respond? Do you agree with their argument? Why or why not?

Knowers & Knowing III

2008-08-27T21:39:00.004-04:00

September 10
Using the comments feature below, please write a response to the following question:

"How do we Know what we Know? What evidence do you have to support your claim?

Knowers and Knowing IV

2008-08-08T21:17:00.011-04:00

September 15

Please copy and paste this question on to your blog and answer it:

From the website, please read Introduction and 1st Chapter (PDF File) from The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals.

Please click here to read: http://www.michaelpollan.com/omnivore_excerpt.pdf

Did any information in the book come as a surprise to you? If so, why do you think that specific piece of knowledge was kept from you? Does the producer of this knowledge have any responsibility? What is your responsibility as a knower?

Knowers & Knowing V

2008-08-07T20:37:00.019-04:00

September 17

Please copy and paste this question on to your blog and answer it:

From the website http://www.gladwell.com/ read the article from The New Yorker Archive, The Trouble With Fries (Mar. 5, 2001).

Click here: http://www.gladwell.com/2001/2001_03_05_a_fries.htm

How would Gladwell respond to the responsibility question from September 15th?