Core Theme: Knowledge & the Knower

Foundations of the Core Theme

Introducing the Core Theme

Core Theme Questions

The Four Elements

The Individual as a Knower

Perception

Memory

Reason & Argument

Language & Testimony

Emotion, Intuition & Identity

Sources of Knowledge

Personal Experience

Family, Culture & Tradition

School & Academic Disciplines

Media, Technology & Algorithms

Experts & Institutions

Reflection & Metacognition

The Knower in Communities

Immediate Communities

Cultural, National & Belief Communities

Academic & Professional Communities

Online Communities & Subculture

Communities & the TOK Elements

Summary, Terminology and Practice

Guiding Questions & TOK Elements

The Optional Themes

Knowledge & Technology

Technology & the Knower

Technology as a Tool

Perspectives on Machine Learning

Technology, Power & Ethics

Summary, Terminology and Practice

Knowledge & Language

The Nature & Scope of Language

Language, Meaning & the Knower

Translation & Knowledge

Language, Power & Ethics

Summary, Terminology and Practice

Knowledge & Politics

Power, Authority & Knowledge

Political Perspectives & Ideologies

Political Methods & Tools

Politics, Ethics & Society

Summary, Terminology and Practice

Knowledge & Religion

Religion & its Scope

Religious Knowledge Sources

Religion, Perspective & Pluralism

Religion, Values & Ethics

Summary, Terminology and Practice

Knowledge & Indigenous Societies

The Nature of Indigenous Knowledge

Language and Tradition

Identity and Worldview

Knowledge Protection & Ethics

Summary, Terminology and Practice

Areas of Knowledge

History

History & Knowledge

Methods & Evidence in History

Perspectives, Bias & Representation

Ethics & Responsibilities in History

Summary, Terminology and Practice

The Arts

The Arts & Knowledge

Methods & Creative Processes

Interpretation, Perspective & Subjectivity

Ethics, Censorship & the Arts

Summary, Terminology and Practice

Mathematics

Mathematics & Knowledge

Mathematical Methods & Proof

Modelling, Statistics & Application

Intuition, Creativity & Ethics in Mathematics

Summary, Terminology and Practice

The Natural Sciences

Natural Sciences & Knowledge

The Scientific Method & Evidence

Scientific Communities & Communication

Ethics in the Natural Sciences

Summary, Terminology and Practice

The Human Sciences

Human Sciences & Knowledge

Methods & Data in Human Sciences

Perspectives & Contestability

Ethics in Human Sciences

Summary, Terminology and Practice

Assessment

The TOK Exhibition (IA)

Understanding the TOK Exhibition

The 35 ToK Exhibition Prompts

Objects

Writing the Exhibition

The TOK Essay (External Assessment)

Understanding the TOK Essay

Prescribed Titles

Choosing & Using Areas of Knowledge

Arguments & implications

Evaluating Perspectives

Using Examples Effectively

Writing for the Marking Criteria

Exam boards

• DP IB Creativity, Activity, Service
• DP IB Extended Essay

Related links

• IB Core · Revision Notes