1. Can there be knowledge that is independent of culture? Discuss with
reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge
To approach this question, you might first think: how is knowledge created
or acquired in an area of knowledge?
Then ask: Is culture a factor? If not, why not? If so, how? Give an example.
2. To what extent do you agree with the claim that “there’s a world of
difference between truth and facts” (Maya Angelou)? Answer with
reference to two areas of knowledge.
 What’s the difference between truth and facts in your area of
knowledge? How and why are they different? Give an example
 Are they the same? If so, how? Give an example.
3. Is there solid justification for regarding knowledge in the natural sciences
more highly than knowledge in another area of knowledge? Discuss with
reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.
 Is knowledge more highly regarded in the natural sciences? If so, why?
 In what context would knowledge in the natural sciences be regarded
more highly?
 When would knowledge from another area of knowledge be more
highly regarded? Why?
 Who might regard knowledge in the natural sciences more highly than
other areas of knowledge? Who might not?
4. How do historians and human scientists give knowledge meaning through
the telling of stories? Discuss with reference to history and the human
sciences.
 When does knowledge have meaning in history and the human
sciences?
 What role do stories plan in giving knowledge meaning?
 Are there cases where a story might not give knowledge meaning in
either area?
5. How can we distinguish between good and bad interpretations? Discuss
with reference to the arts and one other area of knowledge.
 When and why is an interpretation in art considered good or bad?
 How is that conclusion reached?
 How is interpretation used an area of knowledge that is not in the arts?
 How does one distinguish between a good and bad interpretation in
that area?
6. If we conclude that there is some knowledge we should not pursue on
ethical grounds, how can we determine the boundaries of acceptable
investigation within an area of knowledge? Discuss with reference to two
areas of knowledge.
 What kind of knowledge could be produced in an area of knowledge
that could be considered unethical? What is unethical about it?
 How decides what is unethical?
 Is it the method of acquiring the knowledge or the use of that
knowledge?
 What type of knowledge has been stopped from being developed on
ethical grounds? Why was that? What does that tell us about ethics
and knowledge?