What Makes a Good Object for the ToK Exhibition?
Students often ask me whether a particular object is a good object for the ToK Exhibition. To help you decide, I’m going to share three clear rules to determine whether your object is suitable for the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) Exhibition. These guidelines will ensure your object meets the criteria set by the International Baccalaureate (IB) and effectively demonstrates your understanding of ToK concepts.
This blogpost can also be watched on video at this link, or below.
Rule 1: Is Your Object Specific?
A common misconception is that ToK objects must be personal. While personal objects can be specific, they are not the only option. The key is specificity. A specific object has distinct characteristics or a unique story that ties directly to the ToK concepts you're exploring
Example: Personal & Specific Object
The IB's May 2023 ToK Subject report clarifies this with an example: a Bible is not specific, but your family Bible, inherited from your grandmother, is. This personal connection makes it specific because it carries particular significance and history.
Example: Non-Personal & Specific Object
In the 2023 Exhibition example C, a 19th-century water pump from London was used. This pump was integral to Dr John Snow’s identification of cholera's transmission in 1853. Although not personal to the student, its historical and scientific importance makes it a specific object.
However, specificity alone does not make an object good. It must also demonstrate a specific knowledge argument.
Rule 2: Does Your Object Demonstrate a Specific Knowledge Argument?
A specific object needs to illustrate a particular knowledge argument relevant to the ToK prompt you are addressing. This means the object should help you explore how knowledge is developed, shared, and understood.
Example: Family Bible
Selecting a family Bible isn’t enough by itself. You must explain how its specificity helps explore knowledge issues in the prompt. For instance, you could argue that the Bible helped you realise that new knowledge cannot always change established values and beliefs (prompt 11), or it highlights that some things are unknowable if they are metaphysical (prompt 18).
If you need help understanding what a knowledge argument is, check out the next blogpost, “What is a Knowledge Argument?”
Rule 3: Could Many Other Objects Demonstrate Your Specific Knowledge Argument as Well?
For your object to be excellent, it must demonstrate the specific knowledge argument better than other comparative objects. This distinction is essential for achieving the highest marks.
Example: Edison’s Light Bulb
Answering Prompt #8, "To what extent is certainty attainable?", you might argue that certainty is rarely attainable because much knowledge is serendipitous. You could choose Edison’s first light bulb to illustrate this point, as its creation involved accidental discovery. While this object is specific and demonstrates a knowledge argument, many other objects, such as Fleming’s penicillin, X-rays, or Heparin, could serve the same purpose, making it less unique.
Example: Dr John Snow’s Hand Pump
Consider the hand pump from which Dr John Snow discovered cholera’s transmission method. Answering prompt #33, "How is current knowledge shaped by its historical development?", this object exemplifies how current scientific knowledge is built on historical understanding of public health. While other objects could demonstrate this argument, the hand pump’s role in establishing epidemiology makes it uniquely effective.
Conclusion
To summarise, here are the three rules for selecting a good object for your ToK Exhibition:
Is your object specific?
Does your object demonstrate a specific knowledge argument?
Could many other objects demonstrate your specific knowledge argument as well?
By following these rules, you can select objects that not only fit the criteria but also enhance your understanding and presentation of ToK concepts. For more guidance, check out our free video series, "How to Do Your ToK Exhibition", or our e-book series on the ToK Exhibition, which provides examples of knowledge arguments and suitable objects.
Thank you for reading, and I hope this helps you create a fantastic ToK Exhibition. Stay toktastic, my friends!
Daniel, Lisbon, June 24