IB ToK Essay Titles and Topics: Nov 2016

Here are links to the full titles of the six Nov 2016 IB ToK Essay topics:

• Topic 1. Recognition and Judgement
• Topic 2. Data and Knowledge
• Topic 3. Conflicting Knowledge Claims and Perspective
• Topic 4. Error and Accuracy
• Topic 5. Metaphor, Knowledge and Understanding
• Topic 6. WoKs, Shared and Personal Knowledge

I briefly mention some points to consider for each title below; however, the personalised service I offer is tailored to each student.

You should be very wary of simply repeating phrases and words from ToK websites.

In particular, basing your essays on downloaded templates carries considerable risks. First, you don't know with whom you are dealing.

Secondly, your essay will share the same structure as many others and will likely be considered as plagiarised. As an experienced philosophy and ToK examiner I know how easy it is to identify essays with a common source.

At any time, you can access free podcasts, videos, and articles, relevant to your IB ToK essay or presentation, from the site's social media pages.

The posts also provide links to discussions of WoKs, AoKs and real-life examples; so it's worth following or liking them:

If you require personal help choosing your November 2016 ToK essay topics, I'd be delighted to receive your email:

Title 1: "The acquisition of knowledge is more a matter of recognition than of judgement." Evaluate this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 1 include:

• the relation between recognition and perception
• the relation between judgement and reason
• are recognition and judgement distinct?

If you require tailored help with topic 1 of the Nov 2016 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email:

Title 2: "Is the availability of more data always helpful in the production of knowledge?" Explore this question with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 2 include:

• the distinction between sensing and perceiving
• the role of concepts in organising raw data
• the distinction between sense data and scientific data

If you're considering answering topic 2 of the Nov 2016 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email:

Title 3: "Conflicting knowledge claims always involve a difference in perspective." Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 3 include:

• the distinction between conflicting and contradictory claims
• the relation between perspective and objectivity
• do subjective claims amount to knowledge?

If you'd like to discuss topic 3 of the Nov 2016 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email:

Title 4: "Error is as valuable as accuracy in the production of knowledge." To what extent is this the case in two areas of knowledge?

Thoughts to consider with essay 4 include:

• the distinction between practical and theoretical knowledge
• the relation between error and truth
• the relation between accuracy and truth

If you'd like help with topic 4 of the Nov 2016 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email:

Title 5: "Metaphor makes no contribution to knowledge but is essential for understanding." Evaluate this statement with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 5 include:

• the difference between literal and metaphorical truth
• the difference between knowing and understanding something
• the difference between acquiring and possessing knowledge

If you're considering addressing topic 5 of the Nov 2016 ToK essay titles, then by all means email me:

Title 6: " Ways of knowing operate differently in personal and shared knowledge." Assess this claim.

Thoughts to consider with essay 6 include:

• is all personal knowledge shareable in principle?
• could we have knowledge that wasn't in principle shareable?
• what are the means by which knowledge can be shared?

If you're writing on topic 6 of the Nov 2016 ToK essay titles, then I'd be happy to receive your email: