IB Theory of Knowledge Topic 3.3.1 How Science Builds Trustworthy Knowledge Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Theory of Knowledge Topic 3.3.1 How Science Builds Trustworthy Knowledge Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

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Science Checks, Tests, and Corrects Itself

The strength of science lies in the way it builds trust in knowledge despite uncertainty.
This reliability comes from the systems it uses to test, filter, and revise claims.
This makes it have a unique claim to reliability compared to other Areas of Knowledge, where authority comes less from tradition or belief, and more from method and community checks.

Hypotheses Show Science Is Built To Be Falsifiable

Definition

Hypothesis

A testable statement or prediction that can be supported or refuted through evidence.

Scientific research begins with a problem or question.
To approach it systematically, scientists form a hypothesis, a clear, testable prediction about what they expect to find.
The value of a hypothesis is that it can be disproven and if the evidence contradicts the prediction, the hypothesis must be revised or abandoned.
This makes it different to religious or artistic knowledge claims because though meaningful it cannot usually be proven wrong.

Note

If science deliberately avoids certainty, why do societies often treat scientific knowledge as absolute?

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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.

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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

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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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Science Checks, Tests, and Corrects Itself

The strength of science lies in the way it builds trust in knowledge despite uncertainty.
This reliability comes from the systems it uses to test, filter, and revise claims.
This makes it have a unique claim to reliability compared to other Areas of Knowledge, where authority comes less from tradition or belief, and more from method and community checks.

Hypotheses Show Science Is Built To Be Falsifiable

Definition

Hypothesis

A testable statement or prediction that can be supported or refuted through evidence.

Scientific research begins with a problem or question.
To approach it systematically, scientists form a hypothesis, a clear, testable prediction about what they expect to find.
The value of a hypothesis is that it can be disproven and if the evidence contradicts the prediction, the hypothesis must be revised or abandoned.
This makes it different to religious or artistic knowledge claims because though meaningful it cannot usually be proven wrong.

Note

If science deliberately avoids certainty, why do societies often treat scientific knowledge as absolute?

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 3.3.1 How Science Builds Trustworthy Knowledge 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

Science Checks, Tests, and Corrects Itself

Hypotheses Show Science Is Built To Be Falsifiable

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

Science Checks, Tests, and Corrects Itself

Hypotheses Show Science Is Built To Be Falsifiable

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