Alternative Concepts for the ToK Course: Part 2
This is part 2 of the alternative concepts that could be used in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course. In the first part of this series, we examined concepts 1-4 (linked), and today, we will look at concepts 5-8. These concepts offer a fresh perspective on the foundational elements of ToK and could potentially enrich the curriculum. If you missed the first post, be sure to check it out for the initial concepts and some important caveats about this series.
You can also watch the video for this blogpost at this link, or below.
Concept 5: Construct (or Constructed)
The fifth concept on our alternative ToK concepts list is "Construct" or "Constructed." Traditionally, ToK is described as the study of how knowledge is constructed. This notion is quite profound when you truly grasp its implications. Many students experience a moment of awe, and possibly trepidation, when they realise the weight of this idea.
Although it’s unclear if we're still meant to formally teach knowledge construction in ToK, constructs remain integral to our discussions. The official ToK concept list includes terms like Power, Culture, Perspective, and Evidence—each is a construct in its own right, particularly from a constructivist viewpoint. Explicitly teaching "Construct" could make other parts of the course more accessible to students, particularly those who struggle with understanding the nature of constructed knowledge.
For more on the importance of the concept of Construct check out the blogs on:
Concept 6: Causation or Causality
Next up is "Causation" or "Causality." Much of ToK revolves around establishing the grounds for knowledge, and causation is a primary method for doing this, especially within the Areas of Knowledge (AoKs) of Human and Natural Sciences. Many students find evaluating human and scientific knowledge challenging because they lack a clear understanding of causality.
Causality naturally links with ToK concepts such as Certainty, Explanation, and Evidence. Many of the ToK Essay questions require a critical understanding of causality. Including Causality in the ToK curriculum could enhance students' ability to critically assess knowledge claims.
Concept 7: Identity
Our seventh concept is "Identity." Here, we're slightly bending our initial rule, which was not to replace IB's core concepts but rather to add new ones. I propose replacing "Truth" with "Identity." This suggestion stems not from a dismissal of Truth’s importance but from a recognition of its complexity.
Truth is a multifaceted concept that requires understanding a range of other ideas, including Perspective, Culture, Interpretation, Values, and Explanation. Students often simplify Truth to mean objective, external, fixed knowledge, which is a limited interpretation. Teaching the relationship between Identity and knowledge could serve as a scaffold, leading to a more nuanced understanding of Truth.
Concept 8: Category
The eighth concept is "Category," inspired by the Kantian notion of categorisation. This concept could also be termed "Labelling," as both serve similar functions in this context. Much of ToK involves organising knowledge within a framework, and discussions about categories and categorisation are inevitable.
Category is crucial because it bridges the organisation of knowledge with the ethics of knowledge. Kant’s theory of the Categorical Imperative highlights the relationship between knowing, behaving, and responsibility. Emphasising universality and absolutism offers a valuable counterpoint to more relativist concepts on the ToK list, such as Perspective and Interpretation.
Conclusion
This concludes Part 2 of our series on alternative ToK concepts. Join us in the next post, where we will explore concepts 9-12. These alternative concepts offer intriguing possibilities for enriching the ToK curriculum, providing students with a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of knowledge.
I hope you found this discussion thought-provoking and engaging. If you did, please consider leaving a comment, sharing your thoughts, or subscribing for more content. Stay tuned for the final instalment of this series, and as always, stay ToKtastic!
Daniel, Lisbon, May 2024