Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

Can knowledge be owned?

What is Theory of Knowledge (TOK)?

One aspect of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is that all students undertake the IB Core. This consists of the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE) and Community, Activity and Service (CAS). Recent student investigations into the relationship between knowledge and technology have raised questions in Theory of Knowledge class as to whether knowledge can be owned.

In the 2010s, the personal data of millions of Facebook users was taken without consent by a private organisation, and subsequently sold to advertising companies and investors. This incident raises the question as to who owns online information, and how does this relate to the sharing of knowledge.

If we consider knowledge is akin to water, we understand that while water can be contained - consider a bottle of water, or, on a larger scale, a dam – when the water leaks, is spilled, or even consumed, the liquid cannot be retrieved. We can hardly point to a specific patch of an ocean or swimming pool and claim ‘that part is mine.’ Knowledge is similar, once it is out, it is impossible to retrieve. We don’t have the option to tell others to forget information that we don’t want them to remember, and hence the knowledge is no longer in our control. 

When we apply this thinking to the situation of Facebook, we raise the question: does the information we put on Facebook belong to us? After all, it’s Facebook who have the control. Their administrators monitor the security of the platform, and ultimately determine whether the information is available to the general public or not. In the case that security is breeched and the information is taken, then Facebook no longer have control, and therefore the perceived ownership shifts once again. We can conclude from this that knowledge cannot, in fact, be owned, only contained and controlled. The moment we share information, that knowledge ceases to be in our control, and can never be retrieved. This raises serious consideration about posting something sensitive online.

If you enjoyed the exploration of thinking illustrated in this article, you might be interested in pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) which features the Theory of Knowledge subject.