Unpacking TOK Esssay

1. ‘Through different methods of
justification, we can reach
conclusions in ethics that are as
well-supported as those provided
in mathematics.’ To what extent
would you agree?

2. (Different methods of) Justification
Ethics
Mathematics
Well-supported
What are the key words?

3. What does well supported mean in mathematics?
What does well supported mean in ethics?
Are there any similarities?
What do they mean by “well-
supported”?

4. What Aok and WoK?
Mathematics
Reason
Ethics
Reason
Emotion

5. Compare and contrast
What do mathematics and ethics
have in common?
How do they differ?
Can you think of real life examples to
illustrate your point? Or even better,
can you use a personal anecdote?
Mathematics Ethics

6. Where on this continuum would you place mathematics
and ethics?
Objective vs. Subjective
Objective Subjective

7. Possible Arguments or Knowledge
claims
Claims
Mathematics is always right
Ethics is too “gray”.
Ethics relies on emotion, rather
than reason.
Mathematics cannot be used to
make ethical decisions.
There is no such thing as
absolute truth in ethics, like
there is in mathematics
Counter-claims
Mathematics is not always right, e.g.
Ethics can be black and white if a code
is followed e.g. the bible (or maybe
not)
Ethical conclusions are arrived at
through a process of logical deduction.
Mathematics is used everyday to make
ethical decisions e.g. criminal trials.
There is such a thing as absolute truth
in ethics. E.g. God’s law, the inner-
voice, conscience, most of the world
believe in religious laws of some kind...

8. To what extent can ethical conclusions be justified
trough reason?
Can mathematics be used to make ethical decisions?
To what extent do knowledge communities value
conclusions arrived at through emotion rather than
reason?
Do mathematics and ethics seek the same kind of
knowledge?
Possible knowledge Issues

9. Solutions to ethical dilemmas can be arrived at through
deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, emotions or an
amalgam of any or all three.
Solutions to mathematical problems can only be found through
reasoning, preferably deductive.
If a conclusion is arrived at in ethics through a process of
deductive reasoning, then it could be said to be “as well-
supported as those provided in mathematics”.
However, Monty Python’s “she’s a witch” sketch illustrates that
even deductive reasoning can be faulty. It all depends on the
original propositions or axioms of the argument.
Possible answers to the question