Theory of Knowledge
TOK Exhibition Examples
TOK EXHIBITION Object 1: “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” by Thomas S. Kuhn
Optional Theme: Knowledge and the Knower
Rationale: Kuhn’s seminal work introduces the concept of paradigm shifts within scientific communities, fundamentally challenging the notion of scientific progress as a linear accumulation of knowledge. The book argues that the reliability of scientific knowledge is influenced by the prevailing paradigms or conceptual frameworks within which scientists operate. These paradigms, which determine what questions are asked and how evidence is interpreted, can both enable and constrain the development of reliable knowledge. Kuhn’s analysis suggests that shifts in paradigms, while disruptive, are necessary for the advancement of science, as they allow for the overcoming of anomalies that the previous paradigms could not account for. This object underscores the impact of theoretical frameworks on the reliability of knowledge, illustrating that what is considered reliable can change with shifts in underlying assumptions and worldviews.
