Knowledge Concepts in TOK

Flashcards covering key concepts in Theory of Knowledge (TOK).

Evidence

The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief, proposition, or knowledge claim is true or valid.

Verification

The process of establishing the truth, accuracy, or validity of a knowledge claim.

Uncertainty

Being uncertain of the validity of a knowledge claim, ranging from a lack of conviction to almost complete ignorance.

Perspective

A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view when interpreting a knowledge claim.

Validity

The quality of a knowledge claim being logically or factually sound.

Paradigm/Worldview

The assumptions that guide our interpretations or decisions about knowledge based on cultural, educational, and/or social background.

Proof

Evidence or argument establishing the fact or truth of a statement concerning a knowledge claim.

Dogmatism

To lay down principles as incontrovertibly true without consideration of evidence or others’ opinions.

Interpretation

The action of explaining the meaning of something.

Sense Perception

The use of our senses to acquire information about the world.

Data

Statistics collected for reference or analysis to make knowledge claims.

Justification

The action of showing or explaining a knowledge claim to be right, valid, or reasonable.

Ambiguity

The quality of being open to more than one interpretation.

Bias

Prejudice in favor of or against something, person, or group, usually considered unfair.

Reliability

The quality of a knowledge source or method being trustworthy or performing consistently well.

Correlation

The mutual relationship or connection between two or more things.

Causation

One element causing an effect on another.

Authority

Power to make rulings, validations, or critiques concerning knowledge because of recognized expertise.

Emotion

A natural instinctive state of mind deriving from circumstances, mood, or relationships.

Absolutism

The acceptance of or belief in absolute principles in matters of knowledge.

Standards of Judgement

An accepted example against which others are judged or measured.

Information

Facts provided or learned about something in the pursuit of knowledge.

Language

The principal method of human communication using structured and conventional words.

Limitations

A limiting rule or circumstance that prevents a knowledge claim from being 100% certain.

Mental Models

An explanation of someone's thought process about how something works in the real world.

Lie

An assertion that is believed to be false, typically used to deceive.

Mystery

A knowledge issue or topic that is difficult or impossible to understand.

Reason

To form conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts.

Theory

A plausible or acceptable principle offered to explain a knowledge issue.

Generalization

A general statement or concept obtained by inference from specific cases.

Credibility

The quality of a source or claim being trusted and believed in.

Memory

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information.

Margin of Error

An amount allowed for in case of miscalculation or change of circumstances.

Doubt

A feeling of uncertainty regarding the validity of a knowledge claim.

Subjectivity

The quality of being based on or influenced by personal feelings or opinions.

Imagination

The ability to form new ideas or concepts of objects not present to the senses.

Faith

A strongly held belief or theory.

Assumption

Something accepted as true or certain to happen, without proof.

Ethical Responsibility

The ability to recognize and act upon multiple principles and values in knowledge production or critique.

Pattern

A regular form or sequence that learners can base knowledge conclusions on.

Context

The circumstances that form the setting for a knowledge situation.

Intuition

Knowledge or belief based on instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning.

Relativity

The absence of absolute and universal standards for a knowledge concept.

Extrapolation

The action of concluding something about a knowledge concept based on existing trends.