Theory of Knowledge

Strength from within that begins with a realisation

Theory of Knowledge (ToK) is a unique course in the IB Diploma Programme that unifies and reaches beyond and between the six academic areas of the IB DP to help students explore, share and make connections.

ToK allows students to:

Make connections between a critical approach to the construction of knowledge, the academic disciplines and the wider world
Develop an awareness of how individuals and communities construct knowledge and how this is critically examined
Develop an interest in the diversity and richness of cultural perspectives and an awareness of personal and ideological assumptions
Critically reflect on our own beliefs and assumptions, leading to more thoughtful, responsible and purposeful lives
Understand that knowledge brings responsibility which leads to commitment and action.

Students have described ToK as a ‘tasting’ experience, sampling a range of different Areas of Knowledge and Ways of Knowing, and asking how we might look at our knowledge from different angles. Students make links in two ways:

To bring knowledge questions raised in their other subjects to their ToK lessons for stimulating discussions, and
To apply what they learn in ToK about knowledge as a concept back in their academic subjects.

Be aware that ToK generates more questions than answers – that’s a good thing! We ask questions like:

How do we explain human behaviour? (Human Sciences)
How reliable is the scientific method? (Natural Sciences)
Who controls the past? (History)
Do you need to see to believe? (Religious Knowledge Systems)
If it feels ‘right’, is it? (Ethics)

There are two formal assessment tasks:

An exhibition about how the theory of knowledge manifests itself in the real world: each student exhibits a series of objects with commentaries – like a museum display. We do this at the end of year 11.
An essay responding to one of 6 titles that the International Baccalaureate prescribes. Here are some of the essay titles to which previous Merici students have responded:

‘Knowledge gained through direct experience is powerful but problematic’ – to what extent do you agree?
‘Areas of knowledge always rely on a systematic process of trial and error to aid the production of knowledge’ – discuss this claim.
‘If all knowledge is provisional, when can we have confidence in what we claim to know?’