Mira Hamad

Grade 11

Areas Of Knowledge
1) Mathematics:
Mathematics is the branch of science concerned with number,
quantity, and space, either as abstract ideas or as applied to
physics, engineering, and other subjects. Mathematics as an area of
knowledge is seen as something that is build on absolute objectivity,
which only works if every element of its structure is in alignment
with each other. However, the complexity of such an area of
knowledge can raise questions such as:
- Is every rule given in math correct?
- Are numbers real or imaginary?
- Are we learning mathematics based on the perceptions of the
people who created it? What if our perception of numbers
were to be different?
In my opinion, mathematics is essential to almost everything. We do
learn math in school. But mathematics is applied even after we
graduate from school and even university. Mathematics is an
important area of knowledge as it is an essential tool in so many
fields. It is used in artistic realms such as design, architecture, and
engineering. It is also used in scientific realms such as medicine and
science. Other than careers in the future, we use math in our
everyday lives. When we do the simplest things such as looking at
the time or looking at how much gas youve used up with your car,
we are looking at numbers. Mathematics is used even in social
gatherings when dividing a number of people into equal groups.
Math can be used in the simplest ways, and in the most complex
ways. It is an area of knowledge essential to our lives. It helps us
understand what surrounds us. Mathematics helps us think deeper
and look at things in different ways.

2) The Arts:
Art is an expression used for different branches of creative activity.
Art can either be visual like paintings, sculptures or drama, or heard
like music. It usually relates to emotions, and that is why there is not
an accurate definition for it. Art is a means of communicating or
expressing emotions that is why it can be found in various forms.
According to Picasso his perspective art is a lie because it is
expressing ones imagination and creativity. People may look at art
as something simple but hearing artists like Picasso talk about their
perspective of art and what they think it is confuses people.
Questions arise such as:
- Why do people give so much importance to artists if they are
just expressing emotion?
- Is art a lie?
- Can art change our perception of certain things and our
beliefs?

Mira Hamad

Grade 11

I think art is just as important as mathematics is. People interpret

art differently. They express themselves through it. I see this in
school almost everyday when the art students in my class bring
their pieces to school. Each student explains their piece differently,
as different individuals have different stories, experiences, and
perspectives on things, which brings us back to TOK, and the illusive
I. You are what you experience and you are what youve been
through. Expressing that through art highlights this, by showing how
different people can be. Art is also evident in careers such as
designing and architecture. With these careers each person has
their own touch to the way they design things, because it goes back
to the arts, where they are expressing themselves. People interpret
and understand art differently, which means art cant be right or
wrong. Art is art, and thats the beauty of it.

3) Natural sciences:
Natural sciences is a branch of science, which deals with the
physical world, for example physics, chemistry, geology, and
biology. The natural sciences is a wide ranging area of knowledge,
and there are many overlaps between it and the human sciences.
Natural sciences is a complex area of knowledge in TOK, which
raises many questions such as:
- Is science a method or body of knowledge?
- Is science related to technology?
- Is medicine part of natural sciences or human sciences?
Natural sciences is the area of knowledge that Im most experienced
with, as I as I am constantly exposed to the different parts of natural
sciences. Natural sciences include medicine and physiology. I learn
about this almost every day at school as I am learning biology and
chemistry both at higher level. As I press on with these subjects I
am realizing how essential they are to us. Obviously biology is
essential for medicine and for life in general but I didnt think
chemistry would have been that important or that complex. The
smallest simplest molecule can have the biggest impact on our
lives. That is how important natural sciences are. In addition to the
subjects I take at school. Both my parents are doctors. My dad is a
cardiologist and my mom is a dentist. My 19-year-old brother is also
studying medicine. My life pretty much revolves around this area of
knowledge. It is the most fascinating yet extremely essential area of
knowledge in my opinion. Its so complex yet so organized and
structured. I recently noticed that even though my whole family
works and studies medicine, each person attains the information in
their own way, and each person handles different situations
differently. This highlights the whole concept of TOK.

Mira Hamad

Grade 11