TOK

Optional Theme: Language and Knowledge

Whilst language has been an integral part of the human experience for as long as we have
existed, it has also helped to shape power dynamics between different communities of
people. Whether it is between those who hold political power and those who are ruled or
people with a specific kind of knowledge that others do not understand or possess, language
helps to shape the world around us. Two areas where this is instantly recognisable are
politics and economics (two disciplines that have arguably always been closely linked).

As a ruler in ancient times, much of your power derived from your abilities as a leader in
combat: those rulers that could strategise or fight better than their opponents could stay in
command longer. But your position was a tenuous one: lose the wrong battle, trust the
wrong ally or fall short of people’s expectations and you could easily find your power base
eroded. Entire kingdoms and their subsequent fortunes have risen or fallen based on the
performance of a ruler.

Task 1 The Great Charter: The Magna Carta

Watch the video clip explaining what the Magna Carta is.

If you could create your own “Magna Carta” for world leaders today, what would your version
contain? Think of FIVE main points you would wish your leaders to abide by. Think carefully
about what language you use to craft your points (remember every word you choose has
connotations attached to it!)

Once you are finished, swap your Magna Carta with a friend in class. Are there any
similarities between your versions?

Task 2: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: The Declaration of

Watch the clip taken from HBO’s series John Adams.

Now look at the transcripts below that detail the speeches given by John Dickinson and John
Adams:

Dickinson

Gentlemen.The consequences involved in the motion now lying before us are of such
magnitude that I tremble at the oppressive honour of sharing in its determination. My
conduct this day, I expect, will give the finishing blow to my once great and now much-
diminished popularity. Yet I had rather forfeit popularity forever than vote away the blood
and happiness of my countrymen. Independence will not strengthen us by one man! Nor by
the least supply. But it may expose our soldiers to additional cruelties and outrages. The full
fury of British rifle will be unleashed. Indians will be loosed on the frontier. Negros will rise up
to slaughter us. New York may well be destroyed. By their own admission, the advocates of
separation say foreign assistance will be necessary. At what cost?

Let us imagine a war without victors. And the guns all silent. Many would have bled and
sacrificed only to have exchanged the light yoke of Great Britain for the heavy dominion of
an alien power. Some have argued that America will become one great commonwealth. But
what is to keep 13 unwieldy colonies from splitting asunder? I have a strong impression in
my mind that this will take place. Oh, gentlemen. To escape the protection of Great Britain
by declaring independence unprepared as we are would be to brave the storm in a skiff
made of paper.

Adams

Objects of the most stupendous magnitude, measures which will affect the lives of millions,
born and unborn are now before us. We must expect a great expense of blood to obtain
them but we must always remember that a free constitution of civil government cannot be
purchased at too dear a rate as there is nothing on this side of Jerusalem, of greater
importance to mankind.

My worthy colleague from Pennsylvania has spoken with great ingenuity and eloquence.
He's given you a grim prognostication of our national future, but where he foresees
apocalypse I see hope. I see a new nation ready to take its place in the world. Not an
empire, but a republic. And a republic of laws, not men.

Gentlemen, we are in the very midst of revolution. The most complete unexpected and
remarkable of any in the history of the world. How few of the human race have ever had an
opportunity of choosing a system of government for themselves, and their children. Adams: I
am not without apprehensions, gentlemen. But the end that we have in sight is more than
worth all the means. My belief says that the hour has come. My judgement approves this
measure and my whole heart is in it. All that I have, all that I am and all that I hope in this
life, I am now ready to stake upon it. While I'll live, let me have a country. A free country.

Now answer the following questions:

1. How does each speaker use different persuasive techniques to make their points?
Ultimately, which speech do you find more persuasive?
2. How is Adams complimentary towards Dickinson? Why is this an important part of his
speech?
3. How does Adams use the “rule of three” technique towards the end of his speech?
Why is this effective?
4. Which TOK Concepts do you think are most evident in these two speeches? Explain
how you could use either or both of these as examples in an essay or as part of your
TOK Exhibition.
5. If you had to construct your own definition of “freedom” or “liberty”, what terms or
ideas might you use? Why has the idea of freedom become so important to us as
human beings over time? Are we freer now than our ancestors? What limitations
upon our freedoms are imposed upon us?
 Task 3 Charlie Chaplain: The Great Dictator

In his parody film released in 1940, Chaplain plays a character who is unexpectedly and
reluctantly placed into the role of leading a right-wing party to power. Chaplain used this role
to poke fun at the totalitarian regimes (and the costume is naturally a deliberate parody of
Adolf Hitler).

Whilst the intention behind the film is undoubtedly comedic, the final scene where Chaplain’s
character presents his “victory speech” is often quoted as a kind of modern day manifesto for
change. Once we have watched the film version (with the original soundtrack substituted for
music from Hans Zimmer from the film Inception), re-read the transcript of the speech and
then answer the following questions below it.

I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be an emperor. That’s not my business. I don’t want to rule or
conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone - if possible - Jew, Gentile - black man -
white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each
other’s happiness - not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one
another. In this world there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide
for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has
poisoned men’s souls, it has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into
misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in.
Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical.
Our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little.
More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness we need kindness and
gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost…
The aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these
inventions cries out for the goodness in men - cries out for universal brotherhood - for the
unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world - millions of
despairing men, women, and little children - victims of a system that makes men torture and
imprison innocent people.
To those who can hear me, I say - do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the
passing of greed - the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of
men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the
people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish…
Soldiers! don’t give yourselves to brutes - men who despise you - enslave you - who
regiment your lives - tell you what to do - what to think and what to feel! Who drill you - diet
you - treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don’t give yourselves to these
unnatural men - machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not
machines! You are not cattle! You are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts!
You don’t hate! Only the unloved hate - the unloved and the unnatural! Soldiers! Don’t fight
for slavery! Fight for liberty!
In the 17th Chapter of St Luke it is written: “the Kingdom of God is within man” - not one
man nor a group of men, but in all men! In you!
You, the people, have the power - the power to create machines. The power to create
happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this
life a wonderful adventure.
Then - in the name of democracy - let us use that power - let us all unite. Let us fight for a
new world - a decent world that will give men a chance to work - that will give youth a future
and old age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power. But they
lie! They do not fulfil that promise. They never will!
Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people! Now let us fight to fulfil that promise!
Let us fight to free the world - to do away with national barriers - to do away with greed, with
hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress
will lead to all men’s happiness. Soldiers! In the name of democracy, let us all unite!
Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work that will give
youth a future and old age a security.
By the promise of these things brutes have risen to power, but they lie, they do not fulfil their
promise. They never will. Dictators free themselves, but they enslave the people. Now let us
fight to fulfil that promise. Let us fight to free the world. To do away with national barriers, to
do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world
where science and progress will lead to all men's happiness.
Soldiers! In the name of democracy, let us all unite!
1. Which part of the speech do you think was most effective? Think about the
relationship between Chaplain's tone, volume and ability to pause for effect: what
impact(s) do these aspects have on the audience?
2. As you did with the Dickinson and Adams speeches, identify which persuasive
techniques Chaplain uses. Are there any techniques that Chaplain uses repeatedly?
3. If you had to summarise this speech into a single sentence to explain its meaning to
someone who had not heard it, what would you say about it? What do you think is
Chaplain’s overall intention?
4. Chaplain seems to suggest that collective responsibility (the idea that we are all in
part responsible for the world we build and share together) is an important part of
being human. Can you think of any arguments against this line of argument?
5. Which of your IB Learner Profile Traits and TOK Concepts are evident in this
speech? Do you think that the world has changed drastically since this film was
released?

Extended Writing Task

“Knowledge, without emotion, is powerless. It is only with emotion that language becomes
truly powerful.”

Do you agree with the statement above? Create an essay plan for an extended response of
1.5-2 pages in length in which you discuss your position on this statement. Find at least
THREE examples that you could use to support your argument and explain how these
examples link to relevant TOK Concepts.