The Theory of Knowledge course (TOK) requirement is central to the educational philosophy of the IB Diploma program.
It offers students and their teachers the opportunity to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and on areas of knowledge and to consider the role and nature of knowledge in our own culture, in the cultures of others, and in the wider world.  In addition, it prompts students to be aware of themselves as thinkers (encouraging them to become more acquainted with the complexity of knowledge) and to recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected but uncertain world.

As a thoughtful and purposeful inquiry into different ways of knowing, and into different kinds of knowledge, TOK is composed almost entirely of questions.  The most central of these is "How do we know?"

It is a stated aim of TOK that students should become aware of the interpretative nature of knowledge, including personal ideological biases, regardless of whether, ultimately, these biases are retained, revised or rejected.  TOK also has an important role to play in providing coherence for the student as it transcends and links academic subject areas, thus demonstrating the ways in which they can apply their knowledge with greater awareness and credibility.