Answer to what is perspective requires viewing things from a different point of view in different areas of knowledge that emerges from various situations, factors, and experiences.
What is perspective
is reflecting one’s point of view whenever we talk about an issue be it political, socio-economic, religion and faith, etc? These different outlooks on the same topic are termed perspectives. In order to gain perspective on a topic or situation, one should first have in-depth knowledge on the same. Without having an idea of something, it’s impossible to derive an angle out of it. Probably, it might be a weak opinion that might underrate or overrate the subject in discussion.
Through this blog, I am planning to lay emphasis on how perspectives differ from time to time and how we learn to analyze and accept them.
Theory of knowledge
Theory of knowledge comprises a core theme, optional themes, and areas of knowledge. I intend to take up views on some of these to explore the role of perspectives and the degree to which they influence knowledge in different areas of knowledge. Answering the question ‘what is perspective?’ requires a dissection of several situations that I have researched to curate this blog for the IB cohort. The details of the theory of knowledge can be found here.
Knowledge and Politics
Politics in a country is probably the most debated area. In any country we take, the interests of different stakeholders cannot be met, which makes the Government in power incapable. Hence, there will be a rise in different standpoints validated by different groups. If the people at the ruling level are able to tackle at least some of the issues, then it can be called somewhat a win-win situation for them.
Let’s have a quick look at the Israel and Palestine Conflict. Since World War II, there has been bitterness among the Israelis and Palestinians, and it was conflict not resolved for over 100 years. The perspective that comes into the picture is Palestinians claiming their home ground and Jews who came around eventually and settled and called it their home after the holocaust and followed by the royal decree.
The Palestinian citizens are forced to evacuate their homes by the Jews and hence the conflict has no end and they recently started off attacking each other on this name. Both their claims for land are right in their individual perspective but coming on to a mutual ground requires more conscience than expected.
Let’s look into another example where the perception of artists was hindered during the reign of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany. The art which didn’t comply with the norms expected by the Nazis was termed as De-Generate Art and the artists were shamed for the same.
TOK CLASS ACTIVITIES:
Students can be asked to bring up a newspaper cutting on a political issue and discuss their perspective or approach on the same. The class can be later involved to put forward their viewpoints as well. They should be able to validate themselves around this question “When exposed to numerous competing ideologies and explanations, what makes an individual settle on a particular framework? Is there ever a neutral position from which to write about politics or from which to judge political opinions?”
Knowledge and Language
Language is the medium through which we communicate the innate possibility of everything in this world. Through language comes the power of communication which is the foundation to understand a problem. To know a language puts forward the notion of knowing one’s culture, system, and acceptance.
India’s historical language was Sanskrit, almost all historical texts of importance were written and preached with this language as its foundation. If this language wasn’t imparted down the generations, almost every knowledge with respect to culture, Ayurveda, Yoga would have vanished without leaving a trace. Knowing a language improves our viewpoints and gives out a better perspective on the underlying information. Hence, language is a major standpoint to express our perspective.
In another instance, there is a TED talk by Keith Chen who is an Economist as well as a Professor of Behavioral Economics at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, who says that language actually influences the saving capacity of countries.
Ask students about their mother tongue and how it may have influenced them while growing up? Also, how literary works might have influenced their system of belief?
Knowledge and Religion
Religion is a topic of utmost importance which is the center for multiple perspectives from all over the world. Questioning religion is always a sensitive topic. Religion is that notion which is instilled from a very small age. As it’s taught from home, we follow it without questioning our beliefs on the same.
The perspective overpowers the unquestionable argument using belief as a medium. Some customs in few religions often raise questions on the belief system and therefore they trespasses into superstitions and move away from the essence of religions. Although superstitions are not an integral part of religion however there is a close connection between the two. Most knowers may disregard several religious beliefs on the grounds of superstition.
Eventually, when we are off age, some start contemplating the facts on the same and start to look for evidential reasoning. The superstitions regarding the black cat, myths associated with the number 13 are all part of the system we are brought up in. Some tend to follow it, some cross-question as they grow up. This topic holds a high value on what an individual perceives and the same passes on to generations to come. Superstitions will never become non-existent.
Now, we will look onto Areas of Knowledge:
Areas Of Knowledge
The Arts
What is perspective? In Arts, the Essence of Art is in perception. Art holds different values for different people. The same art piece will have varied effects on a wider spectrum. The perception arises from the thoughts, emotional understanding, and creative thinking of an individual. It can also be influenced by numerous factors like political, social, cultural, gender, and racial attributes.
Graffiti has been regarded as a new era of modern art. But this has been going on since ancient times. We have seen cave drawings; new languages have been found through such scribing. From a different perspective, people see it as a form of vandalism. The debate regarding the same has been going over the years.
THE ARTS
TOK CLASS ACTIVITIES:
Students can be shown art from different eras and asked to form an opinion or stating the characteristics as to how it is different from each other.
Areas of knowledge
History
The story of past events is called History in simple terms. What is perspective? is an important question to be asked while dealing with the subject of history. The significance of history comes into perspective when there is importance or relevance of a particular happening in the past. Events and people of importance are evaluated according to the kind of impact it has created and which ultimately led to a new turn.
Independence History of India, World Wars I and II are considered to be significant because of the kind effect it had on the building of the world. When we talk about historical perspective it leads to accepting the colors of the past. The social structure, The cultural stand, etc.
Areas of Knowledge
Natural Science
The basic existence of almost everything on this Earth is defined by science. And there’s a lot of places for pseudoscience as well, we have very well focused on bringing out that into the discussion as we venture it into the topic. The perceptions regarding the development of science becoming a boon or bane to society can also be a questionable reference.
