Framework Elements

SCOPE

"This element focuses on exploring the nature and scope of the different themes and areas of knowledge. It explores how each theme/area of knowledge fits within the totality of human knowledge, and also considers the nature of the problems that each theme/ area of knowledge faces and tries to address."

METHODS AND TOOLS

 ​​"This element focuses on exploring the methods, tools and practices that we use to produce knowledge. This includes the building of conceptual frameworks, the establishing of traditions and practices, as well as the methodologies employed by formal disciplines. It also includes consideration of the cognitive and material tools that we have available to help us in the pursuit of knowledge, and of how these tools have changed as a result of technological developments."

ETHICS

"This element focuses on exploring ethics and the ethical considerations that impact inquiry in the different themes and areas of knowledge. This includes aspects such as the relationship between facts and values, and how ethical and epistemic values are built into the quest for knowledge. It also includes questions relating to knowledge and inequality and injustice. It is crucial that TOK discussions about ethics focus on the knowledge questions that are woven into and implied in the ethical issues being discussed, rather than the focus being on debating the ethical issues themselves."

PERSPECTIVES

"This element focuses on the importance and influence of perspectives and context. This includes reflection on the students’ own perspectives and what informs them, as well as how different people or groups view or approach knowledge in the different themes/ areas of knowledge. It also includes reflection on historical perspectives and how knowledge changes over time."

(Gulinck's Useful 

TOK Website) 

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