This ToK-Day we had the topic of Natural Sciences. To start off the morning we listened to two book presentations. One on “The Change Book” and the other on “Ein Algorithmus hat kein Taktgefühl”.
Following this we started with the first block of theory. We learned that the scope of the natural sciences was to study the physical properties of the natural Universe. This study is primarily divided into the three main fields that we all know: Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Each focusing on a different area of our material existence. Biology aims to study life, physics, energy and matter and chemistry, molecular matter and its changes. The knowledge gained in these fields are also not far-fetched concepts that have nothing to do with our everyday lives, but it helps us in our day-to-day lives. For example, our phones are based on knowledge that was gathered through theories and experiments related to our world.
Naturally, people interpret what they perceive differently. This applies to natural sciences too. The example made was Flat-Earthers vs. Scientist - The former base their claims on different sources than the latter. Even between scientists different perspectives exist: When new evidence arises, previous understanding is challenged. Some don’t accept the new while some do
We then proceeded to play a guessing game using the “scientific method”. This method is, roughly speaking, defined by repetition of hypothesis, experiment and result: One begins with a question then sets up an experiment to either prove or disprove the theory and finally finds an answer which leads to another question. We used this method in a game where we were asked to guess what was inside a box. The catch was we couldn’t look inside it. As the game progressed, we received new tools to refine our guesses, including a weighing scale, a needle to probe inside the box, and a magnet. (Tip for future IB classes: There was always a soft object—we didn’t figure out what it was.)
After the game it was time to have lunch with the RG IB-class at the “Blinde Kuh”. A restaurant where your sense of sight is completely nullified. Upon arriving, a server made us form a conga line to guide us into the pitch-black dining area. Once seated, we were served lunch and, relying on smell and touch, deduced that we were eating spaghetti. The entire experience was quite a fun change from the usual.
The remainder of the day was monstly spent tricking ourselves: We set up fun little illusions to trick our senses into perceiving the environment differently than it was. An example of this was one utilizing two toothpicks. Either one or both were poked into your skin, and you had to answer how many you felt. The distance between the two toothpicks was decreased, making it harder to differentiate between one or two. Errors were more frequent when the two toothpicks were placed horizontally compared to when they were aligned with the forearm. This occurred because, in that position, the nerves were being stimulated twice, as they extend along the forearm. Consequently, the brain struggled to distinguish between the two points of contact. It served as a reminder the sense organs were faulty and merely an interpretation of our surroundings, not an absolute picture of them.
