IB May 2026 (M26) TOK Title #3 Model Response
Is the power of knowledge determined by the way in which the knowledge is conveyed? Discuss with reference to mathematics and one other area of knowledge.
- The essay below is written as a teaching draft to illustrate the structure, tone, and depth of analysis expected in a high-scoring Theory of Knowledge essay.
- It includes call-outs after each paragraph that explain why particular choices were made and how they align with the IB assessment criteria.
- In a formal submission, you would need to provide proper references and citations (using MLA, APA, or the referencing style your school/IB requires).
Introduction
The power of knowledge can mean different things: its ability to solve problems, to persuade, to shape memory, or simply to endure as truth. How that power is exercised often depends on the way knowledge is conveyed: through symbols, language, or medium. In mathematics, knowledge gains practical power when notation is precise and standardized, but its truth is powerful regardless of presentation. In history, testimonies and narratives can amplify the reach of knowledge, while raw evidence may retain power even when conveyed poorly. I argue that the power of knowledge is partly determined by conveyance: the medium shapes reach and application, but intrinsic qualities of truth and evidence give knowledge power regardless of style.
Note- Introduction lays out multiple interpretations of “power”
- It sets up the two AOKs, and stakes a clear evaluative claim: power is partly but not wholly determined by conveyance.
Mathematics I: Conveyance As Amplifier of Power
Mathematics shows how the way knowledge is conveyed can determine its reach. Calculus, for instance, was developed independently by Newton and Leibniz, yet the notation they used shaped how quickly their ideas spread. Leibniz’s notation for derivatives (dy/dx) proved easier to apply and teach than Newton’s fluxions.
The underlying knowledge was the same, but Leibniz’s symbols gave it more practical power by enabling future mathematicians to build on it systematically. Here, the power of mathematical knowledge was determined not by its intrinsic truth, but by how it was conveyed.
HintThis paragraph shows how notation (a form of conveyance) impacts reach and usability, tying directly to “power.”
Mathematics II: Intrinsic Power Independent Of Conveyance
At the same time, mathematics also demonstrates that some knowledge is powerful regardless of form. The prime number theorem, which describes the distribution of primes, retains its power whether it is written in formal notation, explained verbally, or graphed. Even poorly presented, the underlying validity of the theorem means it can be reconstructed and applied.
