Theory of Knowledge (TOK) holds a significant position within the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP). It provides students with an opportunity to contemplate the essence of knowledge and the methods by which we validate what we claim to know. Embedded within the DP core curriculum, TOK is a mandatory subject for all students, reflecting the core educational philosophy of the program.
TOK is structured as a systematic inquiry into various avenues of understanding and different types of knowledge. It predominantly revolves around questions. Foremost among these inquiries is "How do we know?" Other questions encompass:
When someone makes a statement, like "Exercise improves memory," how do we know if it's true?
Do we trust personal experiences, scientific studies, or expert opinions as evidence? How do we decide?
Imagine two scientists have different explanations for why the sky is blue. How do we know which one is more likely to be true?
Do we look at how well each explanation fits with what we observe in the world? Or do we consider other factors?
Let's say a psychologist proposes a theory about why people procrastinate. How does this theory affect how we understand and address procrastination in our everyday lives?
When politicians consider economic theories to make decisions about taxes, how do those theories impact real people's lives?
The assessment of TOK comprises two primary components: an exhibition and a 1,600-word essay.
The exhibition necessitates students to curate a display featuring three objects that exemplify the application of TOK principles in real-world contexts.
The essay component prompts students to engage with a conceptual issue within TOK. For instance, they may be tasked with evaluating the assertion that the methodologies employed to generate knowledge are contingent upon the intended use of said knowledge.
TOK endeavors to instill in students an awareness of the inherently interpretive nature of knowledge, including the influence of personal ideological biases—whether those biases are affirmed, modified, or discarded.
src: ibo.org