Does all knowledge impose ethical obligations on those who know it?
TOK Exhibition Prompt 27 — Object Examples & Rationale
A complete, examiner-written breakdown of IB TOK Exhibition IA Prompt 27 — five worked object examples exploring the ethical responsibilities that come with possessing knowledge in genetics, AI, whistleblowing, voting technology and nuclear policy, with linked optional themes, knowledge questions and top-band commentary for IB DP May 2026.
The Prompt
“Does all knowledge impose ethical obligations on those who know it?” — Prompt 27 of the 35 prescribed IA prompts.
Assessment Weight
TOK exhibition = one-third of your final TOK grade.
Word Count
950 words max across all 3 objects combined (plus references).
Session
Updated & mapped for TOK assessment.
Decoding Prompt 27 – “Does all knowledge impose ethical obligations on those who know it?”
IB TOK Exhibition Prompt 27 asks one of the most important moral questions in TOK: when you know something, do you owe something? The prompt invites you to examine cases where knowledge — about disease risk, about wrongdoing, about powerful technology — appears to create a duty to act, disclose or restrain. From whistle-blowers to AI ethicists, the people closest to certain kinds of knowledge often bear the heaviest ethical weight.
A top-scoring IB TOK exhibition on Prompt 27 does three things well: it pairs each object with a specific ethical dilemma, it explains why the knowledge in question generates an obligation (rather than merely an opportunity), and it connects to an optional theme or area of knowledge — most often Technology or Politics.
TOK Exhibition Objects for Prompt 27
Each example below includes the object, linked optional theme, examiner-written rationale, and a knowledge question to extend your analysis.
Data Privacy Agreement for a Genetic Testing Company
The data privacy agreement provided by genetic testing services to their customers highlights the ethical obligations associated with possessing sensitive genetic information. This document exemplifies the duty to protect individuals’ privacy and handle such personal knowledge with care, emphasising the responsibilities that come with acquiring and managing genetic data. It reflects on the broader ethical considerations in the realm of biotechnology and personal health information, where advancements in knowledge necessitate stringent ethical standards to safeguard individual rights and well-being.
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A Whistle-blower’s Leaked Document on Environmental Violations
The act of whistleblowing, especially involving the leak of documents that reveal environmental violations by a corporation, demonstrates the ethical obligations felt by individuals who possess knowledge of wrongdoing. This object shows how knowledge of harmful practices or dangers to public health and the environment can compel individuals to take action, often at great personal risk, to inform the public or authorities. It reflects on the ethical dilemmas faced by those who, through their professional or insider status, acquire knowledge that has significant implications for societal welfare.
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A Secure Voting Machine Prototype
The development and implementation of secure voting technology represent the ethical obligations of technologists and engineers to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the electoral process. This object serves as a reminder that knowledge in fields such as cybersecurity and information technology not only advances technical capabilities but also entails responsibilities to safeguard democratic principles and protect against misuse. It underscores the ethical dimension of technological knowledge, where the potential impact on society necessitates a commitment to ethical standards and practices.
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2 More Objects for Prompt 27
Two additional examiner-written object examples to help you finalise your TOK exhibition selection.
An Ethics Code for Artificial Intelligence Research
Codes of ethics specifically designed for the field of artificial intelligence research address the ethical obligations of scientists and developers to consider the societal implications of AI technologies. These documents highlight concerns about privacy, bias, autonomy, and the potential for misuse, emphasising that the knowledge gained through AI research comes with the responsibility to anticipate and mitigate negative impacts. This object illustrates how emerging areas of knowledge prompt the formulation of new ethical guidelines to navigate the complex moral landscape introduced by technological advancements.
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A Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Document
Documents pertaining to nuclear non-proliferation treaties exemplify the global recognition of the ethical obligations associated with the knowledge and capability to develop nuclear weapons. These treaties reflect the consensus that such knowledge imposes significant moral responsibilities on nations to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to pursue disarmament, acknowledging the devastating potential of nuclear technology. This object underscores the ethical considerations inherent in possessing powerful and potentially destructive knowledge, highlighting the role of international cooperation in addressing these ethical imperatives.
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Knowledge Questions for Prompt 27
Use these knowledge questions to strengthen the analytical depth of your exhibition commentary.
Does ignorance of consequences exempt a knower from ethical responsibility?
Are the ethical obligations of a scientist different from those of a journalist who learns the same fact?
Can knowledge ever be morally neutral, or does context always create obligation?
How does the scale of potential harm change the weight of an obligation?
Is whistleblowing a legal violation that becomes a moral duty?
Should some knowledge — like nuclear or bioweapon design — be restricted on ethical grounds before it is even produced?
How to Score High on Prompt 27
Three strategies our IB examiners use when coaching students through the TOK exhibition.
Pair each object with a real ethical dilemma
A whistle-blower’s document is empty without the dilemma it represents. Top-band commentary names the choice the knower faced and what made it ethically loaded.
Distinguish ‘opportunity’ from ‘obligation’
Knowing how to make a dangerous technology gives you the opportunity, but only certain conditions create the obligation. Pin those conditions down in your rationale.
Show the spectrum of severity
Mix one low-stakes object (a privacy agreement) with one high-stakes object (a non-proliferation treaty). The contrast lets you argue that obligations scale with the consequences of knowing.
TOK Exhibition Prompt 27 — FAQs
What is TOK Exhibition Prompt 27?
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