This document provides an introduction to the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course. It includes quotes about the importance of questioning and doubt in the pursuit of knowledge. Students are assigned homework to prepare to teach others something and reflect on maps and metaphors of knowledge. The key concepts introduced are that TOK involves meta-inquiry into how we know, knowledge questions, and understanding different perspectives that influence our understanding of knowledge.

1. Welcome
to TOK
The unexamined life is not worth living. -Socrates-
“We know accurately only when we know little; with
knowledge doubt increases.” -Goethe-
“Tell a man there are 300 billion stars in the universe and
he’ll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint on it
and he’ll have to touch it to be sure.” Murphy’s Law

2. HW FOR FRIDAY
 Decide and Prepare to teach others something that
you can do
 Timeframe: 5-10-15 minutes
 Bring any props

3. Activity
On the blank sheet of paper provided,
you have 3 minutes to draw a map of
the world as best you can.

4. Mappa Mundi, ca. 1300,
Hereford, U.K
The Issues of
Knowledge

6. Girardus Mercator, 1569

9. World Poverty/Wealth

10. Map of
Africa:
2014

11. Map of All Terrorist Attacks in 2012 by University of
Maryland-based National Consortium for the Study of
Terrorism

12. Map of
African
Languages

13. Worldwide Air Traffic-24 hrs

14. What it Takes to Get Nutella

15. Speculative
Map: If
Africa had
Never been
Colonized

16. London Map & Underground
Activity
 What can you say about maps?
 What is the value of having / using maps?
 Does it matter how accurately the map reflects
reality? Why or why not?
 Do you want a more or less detailed map?

17. The map is not the territory.
-Alfred Korzybski-
What do you think this quote
means?
Take a few minutes to write a
short reflection

18. Consider this Painting by Belgian Surrealist
René Magritte (title of painting is Betrayal of
Images)

19. Metaphor for TOK: Knowledge
as a Map
If Knowledge
is a map, then
what is the
territory?
What about
the Areas of
Knowledge
(AOKs)?
What is the
territory of
each AOK
studies in
TOK?

20. • The physical/material world or universe
natural sciences
history
human sciences
arts
mathematics
ethics
religion
Indigenous knowledge

21. HW: The Map is Not the
Territory Article
 Read the short article entitled The Map is Not the
Territory
 As you read:
 Highlight 2 concepts you find intriguing
 Write down 2 questions you have from the reading
 Respond to this question: what do you think is one
implication for education (for your own learning here at
school, doing the IB) based on this reading?

22. TOK COURSE
 Meta-inquiry
 Investigation into how we know
 Knowledge Questions
 Open-ended
 Broad, not topic or discipline specific
 Poses a question that highlights a challenge or issue with
knowledge

23. Importance of Perspectives
 What are the main factors that influence our
perspective on knowledge?
 Does it matter if we understand these perspectives?
 Thinking Critically about knowledge:
 Assumptions
 Values
 Set of facts identified
 Process of validation
 Implications