IB Theory of Knowledge Topic 2.1.2 When Tech Creates Ethical Dilemmas Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Theory of Knowledge Topic 2.1.2 When Tech Creates Ethical Dilemmas Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

Written by official IB examiners

Ethical Dilemmas Reveal Technology's Hidden Value Systems

Ethical dilemmas are built into the technology from the start because every technological design embeds specific assumptions about what matters.
Take facial recognition systems.
The ethical dilemma isn't just about privacy versus security, it's about whose faces the system can actually recognize accurately.
Early facial recognition systems were trained primarily on white male faces, making them significantly less accurate for women and people of color.
This isn't a misuse of the technology but a direct result of whose knowledge was prioritized during development.

Tip

The communities that build technology determine whose knowledge gets embedded in the system and whose gets excluded.

Algorithmic Content Curation Shapes Democratic Knowledge

Social media algorithms show you content you might like while also actively shaping what you think is worth knowing about.
This creates ethical dilemmas beyond simple echo chambers.
The ethical dilemma is about how the algorithm embeds a particular theory of democracy, one that values emotional engagement over informed deliberation.

Example

During the 2020 U.S. election, TikTok's algorithm amplified videos about voting irregularities because they generated high engagement through outrage and concern.
Meanwhile, videos explaining actual voting procedures received less distribution because they were less emotionally engaging.
The algorithm didn't intend to spread misinformation, but its design prioritized engagement over accuracy.

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Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit.

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Ethical Dilemmas Reveal Technology's Hidden Value Systems

Ethical dilemmas are built into the technology from the start because every technological design embeds specific assumptions about what matters.
Take facial recognition systems.
The ethical dilemma isn't just about privacy versus security, it's about whose faces the system can actually recognize accurately.
Early facial recognition systems were trained primarily on white male faces, making them significantly less accurate for women and people of color.
This isn't a misuse of the technology but a direct result of whose knowledge was prioritized during development.

Tip

The communities that build technology determine whose knowledge gets embedded in the system and whose gets excluded.

Algorithmic Content Curation Shapes Democratic Knowledge

Social media algorithms show you content you might like while also actively shaping what you think is worth knowing about.
This creates ethical dilemmas beyond simple echo chambers.
The ethical dilemma is about how the algorithm embeds a particular theory of democracy, one that values emotional engagement over informed deliberation.

Example

During the 2020 U.S. election, TikTok's algorithm amplified videos about voting irregularities because they generated high engagement through outrage and concern.
Meanwhile, videos explaining actual voting procedures received less distribution because they were less emotionally engaging.
The algorithm didn't intend to spread misinformation, but its design prioritized engagement over accuracy.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

1. Core Theme: Knowledge and the Knower2 subtopics

2. Optional Themes5 subtopics

3. Areas of Knowledge5 subtopics

4. TOK Assessments2 subtopics

6. Nov 2026 TOK Titles7 subtopics

IB Theory of Knowledge 2.1.2 When Tech Creates Ethical Dilemmas Notes

1. Core Theme: Knowledge and the Knower2 subtopics

2. Optional Themes5 subtopics

3. Areas of Knowledge5 subtopics

4. TOK Assessments2 subtopics

6. Nov 2026 TOK Titles7 subtopics

Ethical Dilemmas Reveal Technology's Hidden Value Systems

Algorithmic Content Curation Shapes Democratic Knowledge

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Ethical Dilemmas Reveal Technology's Hidden Value Systems

Algorithmic Content Curation Shapes Democratic Knowledge

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account