Theory of Knowledge,

More resources coming soon with the publication of the new TOK Course Guide, TOK 2022

Questions related to TOK activities that a music student might consider include the following:

Why are the arts important? What do the subjects that make up the arts have in common?

What are the roles of emotion and reason in the arts?

To what extent do the other Diploma Programme subjects have “artistic” qualities? What are the standards by which we judge art?

Can we justify these standards and, if so, how? What moral responsibilities does the artist have?

Are they different from those of any other “knower”?

It has been said that there is a difference between the condition of humans and the human condition, and that the sciences can tell us about the former, but we need the arts to tell us about the latter. Would you agree?

What is the function of music? Is this the same throughout the world, time and place?

To what extent does music reflect the values, beliefs and attitudes of the time and place in which it is made?

To what extent can the music of one culture be understood by others?

To what extent does the work of the musician influence an existing culture?

To what extent does an existing culture influence a musician working within it?

What makes an artistic piece ‘great’?

Does this vary within and across time and culture?

Can it be said that one musical scale is more natural than another?

To what extent does the knowledge gained in a musical performance differ from other types of knowledge?

Is the composer’s intention important to the listener?

To what extent would this affect the performance? How can music evoke an emotional response from the listener?

Is this a way of knowing?

Why has some music been feared by the political establishment?