Philosophy of Knowledge

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

The method includes components of synthesis lectures and research seminar.

Most of the time will be occupied with the discussion of the texts and analysis of the philosophical issues they raise.

Learning Outcomes

Epistemology/theory of knowledge is that branch of philosophy which is concerned with issues about the nature and extent of what we know, as well as with related issues about what we should believe.
By the end of the module, the students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practicable skills appropriate to this level (BA) and in particular will be able to demonstrate:
- familiarity with the central problems of epistemology, and  some preliminary understanding of the main philosophical theories bearing upon those problems, and especially some understanding of the motivations behind those theories.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I. Foundational concepts

II. Analysis of Knowledge.

III. Where does knowledge comes from?

IV. Truth, justification.

V. Skepticism.

Head Lecturer(s)

Simone Guidi

Assessment Methods

Continuous evaluation
Discussion, attendance and Participation : 15.0%
Final discussion : 25.0%
Writing assignments and exams : 60.0%

Final evaluation
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Relevant entries from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Pritchard, D., A. Millar, & A. Haddock, 2010. The Nature and Value of Knowledge, New York: Oxford University Press.
Williamson, Timothy. 2000. Knowledge and its Limits. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Pritchard, Duncan, 2014. What is this thing called knowledge? 3. ed. London /New York: Routledge
Bernecker, Sven  & Pritchard, Duncan.eds. 2011.The Routledge companion to epistemology.  London /New York : Routledge.
Sosa, Ernest, Jaegwon Kim, Jeremy Fantl, and Matthew McGrath, eds,2008.  Epistemology: an Anthology, 2nd edition . Oxford: Blackwell.