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Theory of knowledge: What is the relationship between culture and knowledge?

Today, I would like to talk about my IBDP Theory of Knowledge essay. In my two-year International Baccalaureate programme, I had overcome the course with many difficulties. Personally, I have never experienced such an impactful and deep lecture that is basically can be interpreted as “Introduction to Philosophy”. To consider my prior education before IB, I did not have any course close to “TOK”. In my country’s national curriculum, there was only one simple lesson which is only memory based so called “Philosophy”. However, it was highly insufficent compare to “Theory of Knowledge” in IB.

The purpose of the TOK Essay is to provide basic understanding for students to value the variety of viewpoints and become more conscious of their own personal and ideological presumptions.

My Theory of Knowledge essay investigates the relationship between culture and knowledge. I have selected three different cultural objects that all are belongs to distinct regions from all around the world.

Japanese Mask — — Japan culture

Australian Boomerang — — Aboriginal culture

Lügat 365: bazı kelimeler çok güzel ( book) — — Turkish culture

Japanese Mask

The person covered by the mask loses his previous identity and assumes the god’s or important people’s identity likewise said to be close to the spiritual energy of the mask and its exposition to similar characteristics. People who wear the mask gains a new power which is becoming the image of itself.

The artistic qualities of a Japanese mask derive both from its exterior forms and its meaning and function within its cultural context. Traditional Japanese masks are an example of typical archetypes taken from myth, historical dances, or Noh theatre.

My object is called in Japanese culture Otofuku or Okome mask. Otafuku, also known as the Goddess of Mirth, is a portrayal of a charming, joyful Japanese woman who will make any man she marries happy and prosperous. Okame, which means “Tortoise,” also has the lucky connotation of “Long Life.”

Japanese art regularly features her. Her full cheeks and happy eyes are a sight to remember and admire. From the perspective of Japanese academics, the first Okame images may have portrayed an idealized version of feminine beauty a long time ago. According to that statement, in ancient times Okame represents the expected beauty of Japanese women.

2. Australian Boomerang

The Boomerang has always been a symbol of Australia’s unique quality as a place of paradox in the mind of Europeans. This amazing item can return to strike it’s thrower just as readily as its target and serves as both a weapon and a toy.

Since the Europeans arrived in Australia in 788, they have sought to disturb the numerous forms, styles, and names of Aboriginal boomerangs into a single, erroneous type.

However, by focusing on this object’s odd aspect, we have missed the important truth that it symbolizes a magnificent Aboriginal solution to the challenging problem of surviving and prospering in the Australian’s harsh environment.

In time Aboriginal boomerang usage has occurred symbolically. Boomerangs have been utilized repeatedly in the long process of forming Australian identity, joining the ranks of the world’s greatest cultural icons with the active contribution of Aboriginal people.

The concept of giving an ordinary throwing stick aerodynamic properties most likely developed separately in numerous locations throughout the world. It is an interesting invention that supplies the needs of the Aboriginal people.

As an indigenous society, Aboriginal people believe that the boomerang is as old as the continent since it is mentioned in their creation myths. For that reason, Boomerangs can be considered Australia’s identity. It cannot shift by any Europeans, it would be disrespectful to their origins. Boomerangs are special for Aboriginals and they are the ones who invented them. Boomerang provides a perspective on the people, their survival, way of life, and other things. Each representation is linked to the information that is already available, and a system is built around it.

3. Lügat 365: bazı kelimeler çok güzel

Letters are words, words are sentences, and sentences are language. Some people say that language is the mirror of culture, in the sense that people can see a culture through its language. The iceberg is yet another allegory used to represent language and culture. A little part of culture is evident in the language, but the majority is hidden beneath the surface in the unseen component of culture.

This book is an attempt to remind the reader that some words are facing extinction. It means getting to know the words that we use daily but whose origins we do not know better.

In the developing world, the structure of the native language varies in different areas. It is known that words are the representation of society, and by searching Turkish culture’s old phrases and today’s new-shaped words, change in people’s needs can be obtained. For that reason, it is significant to preserve your culture with old-fashioned words. It is forgotten that if a language disappears over time, its culture and identity also lose their power. Regarding that, the disappeared nation has nothing to offer to the next generations. Languages are a crucial representation of our principles and cultures, which is why today there are approximately seven thousand languages are present. They are all characteristics of a special identity.

It is a crucial reminder that every language has its special identity that represents them as a whole. For example, learning a language is not only learning the alphabet, the grammar, and the meaning; you are also exploring the behaviour, cultural customs and traditions.

In conclusion, language and culture have an integration which cannot be separated from one another. It also provides a window into how a specific culture views itself. Language considers itself to be a representation or an embodiment of the culture or legacy held by a specific set of individuals. This is the basic knowledge that culture has an impact on society as well as on language.

Hope you enjoyed my interpretation on cultural objects! Do not forget to comment & clap :)