Friday, December 31, 2010

Avoiding my TOK homework by ranting

Here is something I do not like: Theory of Knowledge. It kills me that Caroline only had to take this stupid class for one semester while I was saddled with two years of it. It is the biggest waste of time since internet Solitaire was invented.
Here is why I do not like TOK: I do not care about any of the subjects up for discussion. Who cares about what makes a branch of science a science, or the qualifying factors of art, or how we can determine truth? The things we discuss in TOK sound like something a sleazy dude would say to someone in a singles bar. "Baby, how do we know we're alive? How do we know we exist? We have to seize opportunities and live our lives. Are we people if we just drift around in space?" Of course, that may just be our teacher's disturbing habit of full disclosure that lends such an air to the course, but even last year with our old teacher, it was still a headache.
Life is full of mysteries, sure, but isn't it more interesting if you just leave them as they are? Why would anyone want to vivisect the great mysteries of life and pin the components on the wall, neatly mounted and labeled? Sure, mankind has always tried to solve life's great mysteries, but there must be a more practical way to do so than sitting around some classroom with unflattering fluorescent light, arguing about the ethical implications of shopping at Hollister.
If we're going to debate about questions we could never possibly answer, I propose we do so in cafes, like Jean-Paul Sartre and his fellow existentialists. At least that way, we could get a decent cup of coffee. Or just leave when the conversation gets too dry.

No comments: