IB ToK Essay Titles and Topics: May 2020

Here are links to ideas and suggestions relating to the the six May 2020 IB ToK Essay topics:

• Topic 1. "Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not" (Pablo Picasso). Explore this distinction with reference to two areas of knowledge.
• Topic 2. "There is a sharp line between describing something and offering an explanation of it. " To what extent do you agree with this claim?
• Topic 3. Does it matter that your personal circumstances influence how seriously your knowledge is taken?
• Topic 4. "The role of analogy is to aid understanding rather than to provide justification. " To what extent do you agree with this statement?
• Topic 5. "Given that every theory has its limitations, we need to retain a multiplicity of theories to understand the world. " Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.
• Topic 6. "Present knowledge is wholly dependent on past knowledge. " Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.

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

Click here for the November 2020 TOK essay titles.

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 May 2020 ToK essay topics, I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send details of my services and fees:

Title 1: "“Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not" (Pablo Picasso). Explore this distinction with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 1 include:

• the distinction between contingent and necessary truths
• the imagination as a way of knowing possibilities
• the distinction between facts and things

If you require tailored help with topic 1 of the May 2020 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send you details of my services and fees:

Title 2: "There is a sharp line between describing something and offering an explanation of it. " To what extent do you agree with this claim?

Thoughts to consider with essay 2 include:

• the difference between wh-questions and how-questions in searching for knowledge
• are all or some explanations also descriptions?
• the distinction between facts and things

If you're considering answering topic 2 of the May 2020 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send you details of my services and fees:

Title 3: Does it matter that your personal circumstances influence how seriously your knowledge is taken?

Thoughts to consider with essay 3 include:

• different senses of matter
• the wide variety of personal circumstances relevant for credibility
• any assumption built in to the question

If you'd like to discuss topic 3 of the May 2020 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send you details of my services and fees:

Title 4: "The role of analogy is to aid understanding rather than to provide justification. " To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Thoughts to consider with essay 4 include:

• can justifications provide understanding?
• the relationship between analogies and models
• the varieties, and purposes, of justification

If you'd like help with topic 4 of the May 2020 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send you details of my services and fees:

Title 5: "Given that every theory has its limitations, we need to retain a multiplicity of theories to understand the world. " Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 5 include:

• the concept of a true theory
• what constitutes a good theory
• how do we identify theories: what distinguishes one from another?

If you're considering addressing topic 5 of the May 2020 ToK essay titles, then by all means email me and I'll send you details of my services and fees:

Title 6: "Present knowledge is wholly dependent on past knowledge. " Discuss this claim with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 6 include:

• to what extent does sense perception require possession of concepts?
• the varieties of dependence
• the distinction between personal and collective knowledge

If you're writing on topic 6 of the May 2020 ToK essay titles, then I'd be happy to receive your email; I'll send you details of my services and fees: