The knowledge questions below are some basic knowledge questions derived from each prescribed title. Consider these basic knowledge questions the starting point for developing knowledge questions for a TOK essay.
Many of the knowledge questions on this page are quite broad and can be rephrased in a more focused way later on in the essay development process. Make sure you look extensively at past sample TOK essays to get a better idea of what kinds of TOK questions are suitable.
More knowledge questions that are closer to essay-ready knowledge questions will be posted at a later date.
1. “Accepting knowledge claims always involves an element of trust.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- To what extent does accepting knowledge claims always involve an element of trust?
- To what extent do knowledge claims in ________ (AOK) always involve an element of trust?
- How is trust in a knowledge claim gained in _______ (AOK)?
- What role does _______ (WOK) play in gaining trust in ________ (AOK)?
2. Within areas of knowledge, how can we differentiate between change and progress? Answer with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- What differentiates between change and progress in the acquisition of knowledge in ________ (AOK)?
- What role does ________ (WOK) play in differentiating between change and progress in the acquisition of knowledge?
- What role does ________ (WOK) play in differentiating between change and progress in the acquisition of knowledge in ________ (AOK)?
3. “Labels are a necessity in the organization of knowledge, but they also constrain our understanding.” Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- To what extent do labels in ________ (AOK) help organize knowledge?
- To what extent are labels in ________ (AOK) necessary in the organization and production of knowledge?
- To what extent do labels in ________ (AOK) constrain knowledge?
- To what extent do labels in ________ (AOK) hinder the organization of knowledge?
- To what extent do labels in ________ (AOK) hinder the production of knowledge?
- To what extent does _______ (WOK) help in the labeling of knowledge?
4. “Statistics conceal as much as they reveal.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- To what extent do statistics have a negative impact on the acquisition of knowledge?
- To what extent do statistics have a negative impact on the sharing of knowledge?
- To what extent do statistics have a positive impact on the acquisition of knowledge?
- To what extent do statistics have a positive impact on the acquisition of knowledge?
- What role does ______ (WOK) play in the use of statistics to conceal knowledge?
- What role does ______ (WOK) play in the use of statistics to reveal knowledge?
5. “Areas of knowledge are most useful in combination with each other.” Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- To what extent are ________ (AOK) and ________ (AOK) most useful in combination with each other?
- To what extent is ________ (AOK) most useful in on its own?
- How does ________ (WOK) help ________ (AOK) be the most useful on its own?
- How does ________ (WOK) help ________ (AOK) and ________ (AOK) be the most useful in combination with each other?
6. “Avoiding bias seems a commendable goal, but this fails to recognize the positive role that bias can play in the pursuit of knowledge.” Discuss this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- To what extent does bias help in the pursuit of knowledge in _______ (AOK)?
- To what extent does avoiding bias help in the pursuit of knowledge in _______ (AOK)?
- How does _______ (WOK) ensure that bias helps the pursuit of knowledge?
- How does _______ (WOK) ensure that bias does not hinder the pursuit of knowledge?