TOK Talk

我們在追求知識的路上，往往習慣於尋找符合常理的規律與邏輯，但真正推動認知飛躍的，往往恰恰是那些令人百思不得其解的悖論與反直覺現象。

本期清談節目，特別邀請到了知識淵博的張玉龍老師，從多元視角出發，探討反直覺現象如何啟發科學探索與哲學思考，並帶你領略思維在打破常理後的自由與邃遠。

In the pursuit of knowledge, we tend to look for regularities and logic that align with common sense. Yet what truly fuels a breakthrough in our cognition are often the paradoxes and counterintuitive phenomena that leave us utterly baffled. In this episode, we are joined by Dr Zhang. From a range of perspectives, we will explore how counterintuitive phenomena inspire scientific inquiry and philosophical thought, giving you a glimpse into the freedom and depth of thinking beyond common sense.

This episode is in Mandarin.

Host 孫秀東老師

Guest 張玉龍老師

Appreciation of the Human Experience

2027 TOK Essay Title 1. Do we gain a better appreciation of the human experience from the artist or the historian? Discuss with reference to the arts and history. We had a really good time talking about this title, one of my favorite TOK Essay titles so far!

Host: Emily Osann

Guest: Imogen Stevenson

Reliability & Assumptions

2027 TOK Essay Title 3. In the production of knowledge, how can knowledge be reliable if it is built on assumptions? Discuss with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge. In this discussion, we explore questions about reliability and assumptions. Do assumptions get in the way of reliability? Or do we need assumptions as a starting point? Can both of these things coexist?

Host: Emily Osann

Guest: Dr. Rachel Oser

2027 TOK Essay Title 4 無巧不成書，巧合與知識的關係是怎樣的？本期節目特別邀請中文組的趙烏日根老師參加，趙老師從古琴談到國學，並重申人的價值在知識產生時所起到的作用，令訪談別開生面，期待對聽眾們有所啟發。2027 TOK Essay Title 4: To what extent do you agree with the claim that “any coincidence is worth noticing; you can throw it away later if it is only a coincidence” (Agatha Christie). What is the connection between coincidence and knowledge? In this episode, we are delighted to invite Mr. Zhao Wuregen from the Chinese Language Department to join us. From the guqin to traditional Chinese studies, Mr. Zhao highlights the human value behind the creation of knowledge, bringing a fresh perspective to our conversation. We hope our listeners find it inspiring.

2027 TOK Essay Title 2: If values change over time, how can they, nevertheless, continue to guide the pursuit of knowledge? I met with one of my favorite guests today to discuss this.

Host: Emily Osann

Guest: Kevin Hoye

簡單性 Simplicity

2027 TOK Essay Title 5: 在生成知識時，當面對不同解釋，我們應在何種程度上優先考慮「簡單性」？本期節目特別邀請中文組的殷櫻與韓映老師，從日常生活出發，探討知識與簡單性之間的微妙關係。兩位老師更上演了一場精彩的知識跨界——將中文語法、數學邏輯與舞蹈美學巧妙串聯，令人大開眼界！歡迎收聽這場兼具深度與驚喜的知識對談。

2027 TOK Essay Title 5:In the production of knowledge, when choosing one explanation over another, to what extent should simplicity be prioritized? In this episode of TOK Talk, Ms. Yin Ying and Ms. Han Ying from the Chinese Department explore the subtle link between knowledge and simplicity through everyday insights. They also deliver a fascinating interdisciplinary discussion—connecting Chinese grammar, mathematical logic, and the beauty of dance! Tune in for a delightful and insightful conversation. *This episode is in Mandarin*

在知識的產生過程中，詮釋在多大程度上是一種可靠的工具？

在本期知識論清談中，我們有幸邀請到中國文化研究中心的張玉龍老師，他的深厚學識和獨到見解為我們的討論增添了無限光彩。張老師的專業背景使他能夠深入剖析詮釋與知識之間的複雜關係。他的思考不僅啟發了我們對知識本質的重新思考，也讓我們感受到詮釋在知識生成過程中的重要性和挑戰。期待大家收聽這期節目，感受張老師的智慧和魅力。

2026 TOK Essay Title 6: To what extent is interpretation a reliable tool in the production of knowledge? Answer with reference to history and one other area of knowledge.

In this episode of our TOK talk, we're pleased to welcome Dr. Zhang Yulong from the China Cultural Research Center. His deep knowledge and unique insights greatly enrich our discussion. Dr. Zhang's expertise enables him to analyze the complex relationship between interpretation and knowledge. His thoughts inspire us to rethink the nature of knowledge and highlight the importance and challenges of interpretation in the knowledge generation process. We look forward to everyone tuning in to experience Dr. Zhang's wisdom and charm.

Host: 孫秀東老師

Guest:張玉龍老師

你在多大程度上認同「萬物皆數」這一論斷。是否萬物皆數，所有的知識和理解最終都可以用數字來詮釋和量化？甚至是本質上都是數學？這是一個值得深思的問題。為了探討這個有趣的話題，我們特別邀請了吳暇老師和張紫朗老師參加這一期的知識論清談。在討論中，兩位老師的對話既幽默又深刻，像是在一場智力的舞蹈中，讓人不禁想要跟著一起起舞。他們結合自身經驗探討了數學與知識之間的微妙關係，讓人耳目一新。不論是吳老師的風趣比喻，還是張老師的深邃見解，這場對話都讓我們重新思考了知識的本質。期待大家收聽這期節目，跟隨我們一起在知識的海洋中暢游，說不定會有意想不到的收穫哦！

To what extent do you agree with the claim that “all things are numbers” (Pythagoras)? Answer with reference to the arts and the human sciences. Is everything ultimately quantifiable, and can all knowledge be interpreted through numbers? Is everything, at its core, mathematical? This thought-provoking question is the focus of our latest epistemology discussion, featuring teachers Wu Xia and Zhang Tze Long.. Their dialogue is both humorous and insightful, akin to an intellectual dance that invites participation. They explore the nuanced relationship between mathematics and knowledge, offering fresh perspectives. Join us in this episode as we navigate the ocean of knowledge—who knows what unexpected insights you might discover!

Hosts: 孫秀東老師

Guests: 吳暇老師、張紫朗老師

在獲取知識的過程中，我們對某事物的理解程度是否僅能達到我們對該事物情境的理解程度？帶著這個問題，我們特意邀請了王紅櫻老師、張熙老師參與了這一期的知識論清談。期間老師們對於情境與知識的討論有趣有深刻，期待大家收聽。

In the acquisition of knowledge, can we only understand something to the extent that we understand its context?

Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge. With this question, we invited Teachers Wang Hongying and Zhang Xi to join this session of our epistemology discussion. Their insights on context and knowledge were both interesting and profound. We hope everyone tunes in!

Hosts: 孫秀東老師

Guests: 王紅櫻老師、張熙老師

2026 TOK Essay Title 3: Is the power of knowledge determined by the way in which the knowledge is conveyed?

Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge. Can knowledge stand on its own, or does its impact entirely depend on the packaging? That is the provocative challenge of the 2026 TOK Essay Title 3: "Is the power of knowledge determined by the way in which the knowledge is conveyed?" This question is particularly complex when applied to Mathematics, where facts are absolute yet their transformative power often lies hidden behind specialized notation and formal proofs. To navigate this question, I’ve brought back one of our sharpest and most valued podcast guests to help us dissect how the delivery system shapes the destiny of knowledge.

Guest: Mr. Kevin Hoye (TOK & IB English Literature Teacher)

Music: Our school orchestra performance of Shostakovich, May 2025