IB ToK Essay Titles and Topics: November 2022
Here are links to ideas and suggestions relating to the the six November 2022 IB ToK Essay topics:
- Topic 1. Within an area of knowledge is it more important to have credibility or power? Discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.
- Topic 2. If pushed too far, can open-mindedness itself become restrictive? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- Topic 3. Is it better to "have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned" (adapted from Richard Feynman)? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.
- Topic 4. Why do we seek indisputable evidence when it is so often unattainable? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- Topic 5. To what extent do you agree with the directive to "measure what is measurable and make measurable what is not so" (Galileo Galilei)? Answer with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge.
- Topic 6. If the artist has freedom to interpret past events in ways that are denied to the historian, is this an asset or an obstacle to our understanding of the past? Discuss with reference to the arts and history.
I briefly mention some points to consider for each topic 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:
Title 1: Within an area of knowledge is it more important to have credibility or power? Discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.
Thoughts to consider with essay 1 include:
- the varieties of power
- the difference between being credible and being correct
- what is meant by "importance" here?
These thoughts, and others, will be developed here shortly: come back soon!
Title 2: If pushed too far, can open-mindedness itself become restrictive? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
Thoughts to consider with essay 2 include:
- the role of imagination in being open-minded
- what is meant by "restrictive" in this context?
- are there limits to what can be coherently questioned?
These thoughts, and others, will be developed here shortly: come back soon!
Title 3: Is it better to "have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned" (adapted from Richard Feynman)? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.
Thoughts to consider with essay 3 include:
- is it possible, coherently, to frame a question that admits of no answer?
- what distinguishes plausible from implausible answers to questions?
- which sorts of true propositions can't rationally be doubted?
These thoughts, and others, will be developed here shortly: come back soon!
Title 4: Why do we seek indisputable evidence when it is so often unattainable? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
Thoughts to consider with essay 4 include:
- do we know any indisputable propositions?
- are proofs indisputable evidence?
- what is the difference between rational and irrational dispute?
These thoughts, and others, will be developed here shortly: come back soon!
Title 5: To what extent do you agree with the directive to "measure what is measurable and make measurable what is not so" (Galileo Galilei)? Answer with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge.
Thoughts to consider with essay 5 include:
- what is the difference between being measurable in practice and in principle only?
- must we change something that is immeasurable, beyond recognition, in order to render it measurable?
- the difference between accuracy and precision in measurement
These thoughts, and others, will be developed here shortly: come back soon!
Title 6: If the artist has freedom to interpret past events in ways that are denied to the historian, is this an asset or an obstacle to our understanding of the past? Discuss with reference to the arts and history.
Thoughts to consider with essay 6 include:
- must all interpretations of past events be faithful to the facts?
- what makes an interpretation objective?
- if an interpretation is available to the artist, but not the historian, does this mean that it is ineffable?
These thoughts, and others, will be developed here shortly: come back soon!
- 1. Within an area of knowledge is it more important to have credibility or power? Discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.
- 2. If pushed too far, can open-mindedness itself become restrictive? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- 3. Is it better to "have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned" (adapted from Richard Feynman)? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.
- 4. Why do we seek indisputable evidence when it is so often unattainable? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
- 5. To what extent do you agree with the directive to "measure what is measurable and make measurable what is not so" (Galileo Galilei)? Answer with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge.
- 6. If the artist has freedom to interpret past events in ways that are denied to the historian, is this an asset or an obstacle to our understanding of the past? Discuss with reference to the arts and history.
