Is our most revered knowledge more fragile than we assume it to be? Discuss with reference to the arts and one other area of knowledge.
Writing a Theory of Knowledge essay can be challenging because you must carefully balance many ideas. It’s like trying to thread a needle while standing on a shaky ladder. Don’t worry, though; this prompt is very interesting. It asks us to question the safety blanket we often put around “revered knowledge.” Should we be more worried about the arts and other Areas of Knowledge than we are? How does that weakness show itself?
I’ll show you how to break down this title, consider the best AOKs and WOKs, and use real-life cases. By the end, you’ll have clear plans for how to deal with this prompt.
How to Work on the May 2025 TOK Essay Prompt 2?
Analyze the question first. “Revered knowledge” is highly valued information, such as information we take for granted or see as fundamental. By being challenged, reinterpreted, or rendered obsolete, the term “fragile” conveys vulnerability. You are responsible for demonstrating how this manifests in the arts and another AOK you choose.
First, let’s discuss the Arts AOK. Why is artistic knowledge so highly prized? Is it the artistry of a work of art, the way it conveys cultural meaning, or its capacity to evoke strong emotions? Universally acclaimed pieces like Shakespeare’s Hamlet or Van Gogh’s Starry Night may be considered part of revered creative knowledge.
Now, think about how brittle this knowledge is. Is it possible that the same characteristics that make art so cherished—its openness to interpretation and emotional resonance—also render it susceptible to reinterpretation or devaluation?
For instance, a once-admired artist may be reexamined due to changes in societal norms. Take “cancel culture” as an example, where the contributions of once-celebrated artists may be reevaluated when examined through contemporary ethical or cultural prisms.
When working with this prompt, consider the following questions to help you define your strategy:
- What does your selected AOK or “revered” knowledge in the arts mean?
- Why is that knowledge brittle? Is it changes in society, new findings, or subjective interpretation?
- Which Ways of Knowing are most pertinent to explaining fragility or reverence?
- How do instances from real life show these ideas?
Why is knowledge valued in the Arts, you ask? Is it the creativity behind it, its cultural significance, or its emotional resonance? How could such knowledge be brittle? Now, reverse the prompt. Think about the subjective nature of creative perception or shifts in society standards (such as canceled artists).
In the end, the fact that knowledge is fragile doesn’t make it less valuable; instead, it shows how constantly changing it is. This contrast is what your essay is about and how you should answer the prompt.
Check out all guides for May 2025 titles:
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What Are the Best AOKs and WOKs for this TOK Essay Prompt?
The Arts seem to be the starting point for this essay. They raise issues of context power, subjective interpretation, and emotional connection. Consider, for instance, how cherished pieces such as Van Gogh’s paintings or Shakespeare’s plays are both ageless and open to interpretation. What happens when a work of art is reexamined from a contemporary perspective?
Consider areas like Science or History AOK for your second option. The arts contrast significantly with science, sometimes seen as the pinnacle of objective knowledge. Reason and sense perception are in charge here. Consider Darwin’s theory of evolution as an example of how scientific knowledge is based on logical consistency and empirical data.
History is another interesting AOK for this prompt because it emphasizes language and memory. The story of the American Revolution as a struggle for freedom is one example of how collective memory impacts what is remembered. However, memory is naturally brittle, biased, and selective.
For this TOK essay prompt, the following is a smart way to link WOKs with AOKs:
- The Arts may emphasize respect’s subjective and dynamic aspects when combined with emotion and imagination.
- When paired with Reason and Sense Perception, science can demonstrate how empirical knowledge develops and sometimes disproves our presumptions.
- History combined with Language and Memory may show how tales change depending on the storyteller.
- As Mathematics and reason show, even supposedly “eternal” knowledge is susceptible to weakness.
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems, including Religion and Memory, examine the conflicts between cultural knowledge transformation and preservation.
Examining and evaluating should be balanced in your TOK essay. The objective is to consider the degree and circumstances of fragility rather than to definitively determine whether or not all highly valued knowledge is brittle. Establish links between AOKs and WOKs to demonstrate the creation—and destruction—of knowledge.
What Are the Real-Life Situations for This Prompt?
Real-life situations (RLS) breathe life into your essay, grounding abstract concepts in tangible examples. For the prompt—”Is our most revered knowledge more fragile than we assume it to be?”—RLS should showcase how the knowledge we hold in high regard can be challenged, reinterpreted, or even crumble under new perspectives or evidence. Some compelling examples span the arts, science, and history.
The Debate Regarding Pablo Picasso’s Legacy
Pablo Picasso is regarded as a contemporary art pioneer. He shaped cubism and impacted many other painters. However, in recent years, his private life—especially his treatment of women—has come under investigation.
As cultural norms change, we continuously discuss whether we can (or should) separate the artist from his work. Because it often depends on cultural and ethical conditions, this real-life situation emphasizes how brittlely valued knowledge in the arts is.
Pluto’s Remotion from Planetary Status
For many years, textbooks and the public regarded Pluto as the eighth planet in our solar system. However, in 2006, the International Astronomical Union changed the standards for planethood, making Pluto a “dwarf planet.” The public was outraged by this judgment, highlighting how easily scientific classifications may change in response to new information and definitions.
Christopher Columbus: Hero or Oppressor?
In the past, Christopher Columbus was regarded by many as a valiant adventurer who “found” the Americas. Given the terrible effects of his expeditions on indigenous peoples, his legacy is now the subject of intense discussion. In several locations throughout the globe, statues of Columbus have been taken down, indicating a rising recognition of the more sinister aspects of his historical role.
This RLS illustrates how historical knowledge—no matter how well esteemed—becomes brittle when evaluated from fresh moral and cultural perspectives.
The Reworking of Religious Writings
The Bible and the Quran are sacred writings containing divine wisdom and knowledge. However, interpretations of these works have changed throughout history, either due to advances in knowledge or shifting societal values.
Discussions over women’s roles, LGBTQ+ rights, or environmental ethics within religious contexts, for example, demonstrate how highly valued spiritual knowledge may be brittle and open to reinterpretation.
The Debate Concerning AI and Ethical Limits
Because of its potential to completely transform sectors, artificial intelligence is sometimes seen as a breakthrough in human knowledge and creativity. However, this veneration is now brittle due to its ethical consequences.
Our appreciation for technological developments may soon turn to skepticism or dread, as discussed concerning AI in military applications or AI systems’ displacement of human occupations.
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Newton’s Laws’ Decline as the Final Word in Physics
Isaac Newton’s laws of motion and universal gravitation were once regarded as the foundation of physics. They were valued for their precision and beauty in describing the natural world. However, Newton’s framework had flaws, especially regarding very high speeds or strong gravitational fields, as Einstein’s theory of relativity emerged in the early 20th century.
This real-life situation shows that even the most reputable scientific knowledge may be brittle when new information or more comprehensive ideas arise. Newton’s rules are still helpful in many situations.
Collective Memory’s Vulnerability in Historical Events
As a terrible but necessary reminder of the perils of hate and authoritarianism, the Holocaust is one of the most well-documented crimes in history. Nonetheless, Holocaust denial is still a problem, with certain people or organizations working to misrepresent or disregard this period of history.
This vulnerability in collective memory emphasizes how highly valued historical knowledge may be subject to willful manipulation or ignorance, underscoring the need for education and attention to maintaining its integrity.
Final Thoughts
This title discusses our connection with knowledge as well as knowledge itself. We hold knowledge in high regard because we have much faith in it, whether it be a timeless piece of art, a scientific theory, or a historical account. However, you are encouraged to play detective by this prompt: How strong is that trust? What are the foundation cracks?
Remember that it is not your responsibility to determine with certainty whether or not all highly valued knowledge is brittle. It’s more about demonstrating that you have thought critically about the prompt, investigated many viewpoints, and used examples that bring your point to life. This TOK essay is more than a writing task; it’s an opportunity to demonstrate your exceptional capacity for in-depth thought and cross-disciplinary connections.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you get stuck on this prompt: “Is our most revered knowledge more fragile than we assume it to be?” Together, we can transform your thoughts into an engaging essay that shows your capacity for critical thought and gets you the mark you deserve.
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