Theory of Knowledge
TOK explores the nature of knowledge and how we know what we claim to know. Students critically reflect on areas of knowledge and ways of knowing.
The central question
“How do we know what we claim to know?”
One core theme, two optional themes, five areas of knowledge
TOK runs alongside the six subjects for both years of the diploma, with at least 100 teaching hours. One part of the assessment is marked in school and the other by IB examiners.
Knowledge and the knower
What it means to know something, and how far personal knowledge can be trusted once other people are involved.
- 01Knowledge and technology
- 02Knowledge and language
- 03Knowledge and politics
- 04Knowledge and religion
- 05Knowledge and indigenous societies
- History
- The human sciences
- The natural sciences
- Mathematics
- The arts
- 100
- teaching hours over two years
- 3
- core points with the Extended Essay
An exhibition and an essay
1/3
of the grade
TOK exhibition
Students choose three objects and write a commentary of up to 950 words on one of 35 IB prompts. Teachers mark it and the IB moderates the marks.
2/3
of the grade
TOK essay
An essay of up to 1,600 words on one of six titles the IB prescribes for each session, marked by IB examiners.
TOK Essays & Materials
Essays and discussion material written for the course at Česká.
- Knowledge & Language
“The Role of Language in Shaping Knowledge”
An essay examining how language influences our perception of reality and the construction of scientific theories. Analysis of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis in the context of natural sciences.
Read - Ethics
“Ethical Limits of Artificial Intelligence”
Discussion material on AI ethics. Where is the boundary between progress and responsibility? Connecting natural sciences and human sciences.
Read
TOK Handbook
The school handbook explains how the course is taught and what is expected in the TOK exhibition and the TOK essay.
All policies and guides