My first object to TOK exhibition.
Our student Dobrawa Karaś (class 2b1) presents her first TOK object. She demonstrates how TOK manifests itself in the real world.
Have you ever looked at something and wonder what was in the inventor’s mind? In this case the first thing which came to my mind was safety, right? I mean, in the first photo you can see the gas proof pram which was supposed to be used during World War II as a protection for children during gas attacks. It had a very small window through which a parent could see a child and the child could see, in fact, only a small part of the sky. To maintain air circulation there was a rubber bulb and also there was a filter to provide air without poisonous gas. The second photo presents women carrying children looking like small astronauts. Actually, the children are gas proof masks. These also have windows and filters made up from asbestos. Many years later it was discovered that asbestos is very hazardous for people’s lives. Back then it was an unknown fact. When this gas proof masks were invented, some demonstrations of its use were done. It was discovered that some babies were falling asleep during the time when they were placed within the masks. Another group of babies became unnaturally still, these observations led to a theory that not enough air was pumped into the mask, which as a result would lead to suffocating.
These inventions raise ethical issues. What I mean by this is that, the use of these gas proof items creates a controversy. As a matter of fact, the masks were never used in a real life situation. But they would have been, if only a little research had been done. Eventually, this would lead to death of babies, not because of the gas attack, but suffocation from the lack of air. So there are many questions involving both of these inventions such as: ”Is it ethical to place babies in such small space when this would be detrimental to them?”; ”Assuming that these prams probably muffled most of the sounds the child was not able to hear anything, so wouldn’t it be harmful for such a young baby that is in a process of learning many sounds?”; ”As we all know many events in our childhood result in fears in the future so would being actually caged in such a small space result in a child not being able to endure small spaces?”; ”The air in the masks was pumped my adults; so what would happen if something happened to the caretaker?”; ”Can new knowledge change established values or beliefs? (in this case using asbestos as a filter or just using the masks)” Many more questions arise as we dig down deeper and deeper into the topic.
But, let’s just talk for a moment about the positive part of these inventions. I mean, didn’t it confirm the saying that necessity is the mother of invention? People were worried about their children, but they wanted to go on walks with them, so they did something to achieve it. Also the question ”What role does imagination play in our lives?” arises. Didn’t the gas proof pram reminded you of a small tank, thanks to imagination people were able to produce something similar, but also suitable for everyday life. Isn’t the pram of the mask a piece of art? What is art for you?
Those and many more compelling questions will arise on TOK lessons, I can assure you that this questions will lead to very absorbing discussion which definitely lead to broadening your horizons.
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