One of the IB program’s goal is to instill a curiosity in life, to make us look into things we would otherwise ignore. This is achieved through Theory of Knowledge, a class which forces us to question things we have blindly accepted. Classes are passive, as it takes a while for us to completely understand a concept, so as to get us actively involved, we have debates which challenge us to think differently from our regular mindset. In the most recent debate for the 11th grade, the first this year, and the topic at hand was ‘Is Doubt the key to Knowledge?’, a question that may have come in many of our minds, but never actually looked into. The participants of this debate opened our eyes through a heated argument and valid points going back and forth between the two teams. The Pro speakers, Rohini and Apoorva, focused on how doubt generates the interest to look for knowledge. They suggested that questions are required for knowledge, and all of these questions are because of the doubt. Various scientists, that were considered skeptics of society, challenged the norms of society and ultimately led to knowledge that we use today. They also referred to the Titanic incident. Since they had too much confidence in their stability of their ship, they ignored the wireless signals warning them of the icebergs, and chose not to change their course, all because they have no doubt, implying that without doubt there’s a negative outcome.
When the con side had their chance to counter the argument, their points were just as valid. They hadn’t completely ignored the fact that doubt is needed for knowledge, but had stated that doubt led to the path, which then leads to knowledge. In their opinion, there are multiple keys to finally reach knowledge, using doubt alone isn’t enough. In respect to the topic, this point is valid. Saying ‘is doubt the key’, implying that doubt is the only key. They quoted a famous line; ‘If you had been a real seeker after truth, it is necessary for at least once in your life you doubt all things’. So if everything we learned is doubted, it’s impossible for us to reach knowledge without thorough research. Their final conclusion was doubt is not an essential to acquire knowledge, it is merely a path.
After the two sides had conveyed their thoughts and arguments there was a poll, where the con side won over a majority of the audience, but barely. In the end, the debate didn’t only challenge the participants, but the audience as well, and gave us the enthusiasm to ask a question we would otherwise ignore. Doubt is felt among all of us, but only once it’s justified, we can gain knowledge, which is but a proven and common belief.
By
Sankalp Saradhi, Padmapriya, Marryanne
IBDP XI
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