The Role of Doubt in the Pursuit of Knowledge: An Analysis of Human Sciences and History

This essay examines the extent to which doubt is central to the pursuit of knowledge, utilizing the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) framework. The author analyzes the dual nature of doubt as both a catalyst for intellectual progress and a potential barrier to epistemic consensus.

Through case studies including Prospect Theory and the Replication Crisis in Human Sciences, and the Reichstag Fire and Holocaust testimonies in History, the essay argues that while disciplined doubt is essential for source criticism and paradigm shifts, indiscriminate skepticism can undermine cumulative knowledge. The analysis is strengthened by a nuanced distinction between "historical truth" and the "truth of anguish," offering a sophisticated evaluation of ethical and methodological boundaries.