12 TOK Concepts — Reference
Reference
Concepts
Quick reference card for the 12 TOK concepts with definitions and key questions.
The 12 TOK concepts form the vocabulary of the course. They can be applied to any knowledge question, in any area of knowledge, at any time.
| Concept | Definition | Key Question | Opposite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence | Information or data that supports a knowledge claim | What counts as evidence? | Ignorance |
| Certainty | Degree of confidence we have that knowledge is true | How certain is our knowledge? | Doubt |
| Truth | A claim that corresponds to reality or is universally valid | Can we ever be certain of the truth? | Falsehood |
| Interpretation | The act of explaining or making sense of knowledge | What makes a justified interpretation? | Misunderstanding |
| Power | The ability to influence what is accepted as knowledge | Should we accept knowledge by authority? | Weakness |
| Justification | Reasoning that shows why a knowledge claim is valid | What distinguishes a good justification? | Excuse |
| Explanation | A statement that clarifies why something is the way it is | What makes an explanation convincing? | Confusion |
| Objectivity | Seeing knowledge without personal or cultural bias | What does it mean to be unbiased? | Subjectivity |
| Perspective | A particular angle from which knowledge is viewed | Are some viewpoints more justified? | — |
| Culture | Shared practices and beliefs that shape knowledge | Does knowledge depend on community? | — |
| Values | Principles that guide how knowledge is used | Is knowledge influenced by ethics? | — |
| Responsibility | Duties knowers have in creating and applying knowledge | Where do our responsibilities end? | Negligence |
For the Exhibition and Essay
These concepts are not independent — they connect in rich ways. The most effective Exhibition commentaries and Essays use these concepts to make genuine analytical moves, not just to name-drop vocabulary.
The Four Framework Elements
Applied to every theme and area of knowledge:
| Element | What it asks |
|---|---|
| Scope | What does this AoK study, and what are its limits? |
| Methods & Tools | How does this AoK produce knowledge? |
| Perspectives | Who produces this knowledge, and from where? |
| Ethics | What ethical issues are woven into the pursuit of this knowledge? |