Theory of Knowledge

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a required course for IB Diploma students, but any student interested in a discussion based class with a philosophical trend is welcome to take the class.  For IB Diploma students, the course runs during the junior year, with a lunch seminar during the senior year.  A non-IB Diploma student can take the course during their junior or senior year and it does not include the secondary lunch seminar.

So what is Theory of Knowledge?  It is a discussion based class that asks students to examine how they know what they know.  In class, students examine the types of knowledge and knowledge issues in several areas .

Students engage in discussion, activities, reading and writing about Knowledge Issues throughout the course.  They are encouraged to reflect on their own roles in investigating knowledge claims.

Here are some sample questions students may encounter in TOK

Can there be knowledge that is independent of culture? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.

If we conclude that there is some knowledge we should not pursue on ethical grounds, how can we determine the boundaries of acceptable investigation within an area of knowledge? 

In what sense, if any, can a machine be said to know something?

Should we hold people responsible for the applications of technology they develop/create?

What criteria can we use to distinguish between knowledge, belief, and opinion?