Theory of Knowledge (ToK) encourages students to question how knowledge is obtained. It distinguishes between personal and shared knowledge and explores six Areas of Knowledge (AoKs) including the natural sciences, human sciences, mathematics, history, the arts, and religious knowledge systems. ToK identifies eight specific Ways of Knowing (WoKs) such as sense perception, emotion, and reason that are used to acquire knowledge. Students complete an essay and presentation which are externally assessed and contribute to their IB Diploma.

1. Theory of Knowledge
ToK encourages students to ask the question “how do you know?” in a variety of contexts.
Areas of Knowledge
The TOK course distinguishes between personal knowledge and shared knowledge. Thinking about
shared knowledge enables students to think about the nature of the group that does the sharing, and
allows international-mindedness into our exploration of knowledge questions. Students explore six
of the AoKs shown below, and within these, are encouraged to think about the nature of knowledge
in their own specific IB subjects, such as chemistry, history or art.
Ways of knowing
The ToK course identifies eight specific ways of knowing (WoKs), four of these are studied in
depth.
Assessment outline
Essays and presentations are set during the year to help prepare for the external assessment.
External assessment
Component Weighting Format and syllabus coverage
Essay 67%
One essay on a title chosen from a list of six titles prescribed by the IB
for each examination session. Maximum length: 1,600 words.
Internal assessment
Component Weighting Format and syllabus coverage
Presentation 33%
Examination of a real-life/contemporary situation from a TOK
perspective, delivered to the class by an individual or a group.
Approximately 10 minutes per student. Students also submit a written
presentation planning document which is sent to the IB for moderation.
WOK Description
Sense
perception
Dowe directly perceivethe world, or is perception an active process where we supply
much of the content of our experiences ourselves?
Language
Dowe use language to communicate knowledge - or does language actually structure
those experiences of the world?
Emotion
Should emotion be seen as an irrational obstacle to knowledge or a way of making
sense of social and cultural experiences?
Reason
Reason may be closely linked to logic, but are standards of rationality and norms of
reasoning grounded in culture?
Imagination
Can imagination be dismissed as something that is purely subjective, or is it associated
with creativity,problem-solving and originality?
Faith Is faith irrational and incoherent, or a way of going beyond reason?
Intuition
Is intuition “knowing withoutthe use of rational processes” or a combination of other
WoKs, such as prior experience, heightened sense perception or an active imagination?
Memory
Is memory a source of knowledge? To whatextent is acquiring new knowledge
influenced by our memories of past experiences and events?
natural
sciences
human
sciences
mathematics history
the arts ethics
religious
knowledge
systems
indigenous
knowledge
systems