TOK: Ethical Axioms versus Scientific Testing
[i:ff61605c74]"Ethical axioms are found and tested not very differently from the axioms of science. Truth is what stands the test of time." (Einstein) Critically evaluate this claim. [/i:ff61605c74]
IB Theory of Knowledge Essay
Einstein claims "Ethical axioms are found and tested not very differently from the axioms of science," and that "Truth is what stands the test of time." However, in this paper, an attempt will be made to show that finding and testing of axioms are done differently in the two areas, and that "truth" as we know it, does not stand the test of time, just as nothing else does.
First of all, a definition should be brought to axioms. Axioms are "self evident truths" or "universally accepted principles or rules." The former definition can be applied more closely to ethical axioms while the latter more closely to the scientific ones.
In this sense, an ethical axiom can be "It is wrong to take someone's life," and a scientific axiom can be "Every object continues in its state of rest or uniform speed in a straight line unless a force acts on it." The first example shows an obvious truth that is universally accepted by people with healthy minds. This conclusion must have been reached like a scientific axiom -- by observation -- that is, by seeing that killing someone arises strong emotions and counter actions in people related to the victim in some way. A widely accepted test to see if an action is ethical is to try evaluating if one would like the same thing done to oneself. When this test is applied, the immorality of killing someone is supported. Let's leave this example briefly to look at the example of a scientific axiom, called a law. It was stated that every object continues in its state of rest or uniform speed in a straight line unless a force acts on it. This example is known as Newton's first law of motion. This law has been reached through careful observation of objects in motion, and with the recognition of friction as a force. Recognition of friction is crucial since when friction is present, objects slow down and eventually stop. However, friction can be minimized for experimental purposes. A puck on a hockey rink will move nearly at a constant speed and in a straight line unless a force acts on it, that is, when someone hits it.
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