IB ToK Essay Titles and Topics:
May 2027

Here are links to ideas and suggestions relating to the the six May 2027 IB ToK Essay topics:

• Topic 1. Do we gain a better appreciation of the human experience from the artist or the historian? Discuss with reference to the arts and history.
• Topic 2. If values change over time, how can they, nevertheless, continue to guide the pursuit of knowledge? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
• Topic 3. In the production of knowledge, how can knowledge be reliable if it is built on assumptions? Discuss with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge.
• Topic 4. To what extent do you agree with the claim that “any coincidence is worth noticing; you can throw it away later if it is only a coincidence” (Agatha Christie). Answer with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.
• Topic 5. In the production of knowledge, when choosing one explanation over another, to what extent should simplicity be prioritized? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.
• Topic 6. In the pursuit of knowledge, what value is there in exploring the paradoxical or the counterintuitive? Discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.

I briefly mention some points to consider for each topic below; however, the personalised service I offer is tailored to each student.

The IB organization holds copyright in the theory of knowledge (TOK) prescribed titles and does not permit any reproduction of any IB materials on a public website without its prior written consent. Please contact me if you wish to know any particular title verbatim.

You should be very wary of simply repeating phrases and words from ToK websites.

In particular, basing your essays on downloaded templates carries considerable risks. First, you don't know with whom you are dealing.

Secondly, your essay will share the same structure as many others and will likely be considered as plagiarised. As an experienced philosophy and ToK examiner I know how easy it is to identify essays with a common source.

If you require personal help choosing your May 2027 ToK essay topics, I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send details of my services and fees:

Title 1: Do we gain a better appreciation of the human experience from the artist or the historian? Discuss with reference to the arts and history.

Thoughts to consider with essay 1 include:

• what role does the imagination play in arts and history?
• what are two principal kinds of imagination?
• does the human experience change over time?

If you require tailored help with topic 1 of the May 2027 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send you details of my services and fees:

Title 2: If values change over time, how can they, nevertheless, continue to guide the pursuit of knowledge? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 2 include:

• what kinds of value are there?
• do all kinds of value remain constant over time?
• are truth and truthfulness values?

If you're considering answering topic 2 of the May 2027 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send you details of my services and fees:

Title 3: In the production of knowledge, how can knowledge be reliable if it is built on assumptions? Discuss with reference to the human sciences and one other area of knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 3 include:

• is reliability relative to a particular purpose?
• what's wrong, if anything, with a true assumption?
• does the production of practical knowledge require assumptions?

If you'd like to discuss topic 3 of the May 2027 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send you details of my services and fees:

Title 4: To what extent do you agree with the claim that “any coincidence is worth noticing; you can throw it away later if it is only a coincidence” (Agatha Christie). Answer with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 4 include:

• which area of mathematics deals with coincidence?
• if a conjurer deals you four aces is this a coincidence?
• why do we notice coincidences?

If you'd like help with topic 4 of the May 2027 ToK essay titles, then I'd be delighted to receive your email; I'll send you details of my services and fees:

Title 5: In the production of knowledge, when choosing one explanation over another, to what extent should simplicity be prioritized? Discuss with reference to two areas of knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 5 include:

• don't we want the best explanation?
• is the idea of a best explanation relative to a purpose?
• what other virtues do best explanations have?

If you're considering addressing topic 5 of the May 2027 ToK essay titles, then by all means email me and I'll send you details of my services and fees:

Title 6: In the pursuit of knowledge, what value is there in exploring the paradoxical or the counterintuitive? Discuss with reference to the natural sciences and one other area of knowledge.

Thoughts to consider with essay 6 include:

• are counterintuitive beliefs paradoxical?
• do paradoxes always involve contradictions?
• if everything was straightforward would we pursue knowledge?

If you're writing on topic 6 of the May 2027 ToK essay titles, then I'd be happy to receive your email; I'll send you details of my services and fees: