North Hills Preparatory
Theory of Knowledge
Ms. Biela
Knowledge framework:
O
ne of the new elements of the 2015 curriculum changes is the introduction of a ‘knowledge framework’ to
help students explore, discuss, and form an understanding of each of the eight areas of knowledge.
Although the knowledge framework isn’t a formal element of the essay or presentation (ie, it isn’t directly assessed),
it does present various consideration points that that can then be used to compare and contrast the different areas of
knowledge.
So for each area of knowledge, think about these five aspects, tying your thoughts as much as possible to the ways
of knowing:
1. Scope and applications
What is the social function of ethics? How many different forms does it encompass (eg normative ethics, metaethics, descriptive ethics, etc.)? What are their separate aims? To what extent is ethics influenced by the society and
culture in which it is pursued? How important is ethics?
2. Concepts and language
How do we use language to express the knowledge found within ethics? To what extent does this differ according to
different forms of ethics? Are there any central concepts for which we need specific language before approaching
ethics?
3. Methodology
Which ways of knowing do we use in order to connect with, and understand, ethics? Which ways of knowing do the
ethical experts themselves use in order to study ethics and communicate their understanding of it?
North Hills Preparatory
Theory of Knowledge
Ms. Biela
4. Historical development
How has our understanding and perception of ethics changed over time? How has the role of ethics within society
developed? To what extent has the nature of ethics (for example, the different forms of human sciences) changed?
What relationship does today’s ethics have with those of the past? (to paraphrase Newton, do they ‘stand on the
shoulders of giants’?)
5. Links to personal knowledge
To what extent are you involved with ethics? How is your perception of the world, and your position it in, affected
by ethics?