74938 - Philosophy of Knowledge

Learning outcomes

The objectives of the course are to put students in the condition to learn the main positions developed on the issue of human knowledge over all philosophical thought, but especially in the modern and contemporary age. The phenomenological and epistemological perspectives of the survey, which show the relationship between philosophy, logic and psychology, have particular significance. This theoretical knowledge must be used, secondarily, to recognize and understand the specific areas in which cognitive theories are applied, with particular attention to the character of scientific inquiry and experiential forms that structure the different visions of the world. This is obtained through the knowledge of the various theories of abstraction and of concepts formation; the understanding of notions of truth, coherence, correspondence and epistemic justification; the discussion of the philosophical problem of skepticism; the investigations about the functions of language and the semiological aspects of epistemological research. The purpose of the course is also to connect the different theories of knowledge to the philosophical-metaphysical assumptions and to the concepts of “experience”, without neglecting the shapes of the “vital” contexts (social , ethical and cultural) in which these notions are placed. In order to achieve this knowledge tools will be used as the reading and the analysis of texts, the acquisition of a basic vocabulary designed to encourage students to orient themselves unequivocally in epistemological issues, the reading and understanding of secondary literature, in order to prepare the critical tools to deal with the cognitive issues.

Course contents

You will be introduced to the main issues of contemporary epistemology. The focus will be on the analyses of propositional knowledge that have been put forth in the wake of Gettier-style counterexamples to the Justified True Belief account of knowledge, on the nature of epistemic justification and on scepticism.

Readings/Bibliography

Compulsory readings:

A. Coliva, C. Calabi, A. Sereni, G. Volpe (eds.), Teorie della conoscenza, Cortina, Milano 2015. [The introductory essays to the three sections and no less than 12 chapters freely chosen by the student.]

R. Nozick, Spiegazioni filosofiche, tr. it., il Saggiatore, Milano 1987, pp. 230-245.

 

Suggested reading:

T. Piazza, Che cos'è la conoscenza, Carocci, Roma 2017.

 

Nota bene: the book by Tommaso Piazza is compulsory reading for those students who will not attend classes.

 

Teaching methods

Three two hours lectures per week in the first semester.

Assessment methods

Oral examination. The viva will assess whether you have achieved the learning outcomes of the course. You will need to show that you are familiar with the main views of human knowledge that have emerged during the history of Western philosophy, especially in the modern and contemporary era, as well as that you have acquired the terminological and conceptual competence that is necessary to understand the debates concerning the notions of truth, coherence, correspondence and epistemic justification; the philosophical problem of scepticism; the functions of language and the semiological aspects of epistemology.

The viva will focus on the texts listed as compulsory reading. The book by Tommaso Piazza is compulsory reading only for those students who will not attend classes.

 

Grade assessment criteria

Grade range below 18 – Fail. Poor knowledge of core material, a significant inability to engage with the discipline. Very poor presentation.

Grade range 18-21 – Pass. Limited and superficial knowledge of the subject, a significant inability to follow the thread of the discussion. Presentation with many inadequacies.

Grade range 21-23 – Adequate. The knowledge is superficial, but the thread of the discussion has been consistently grasped. Presentation with some inadequacies.

Grade range 24-26 – Acceptable. Elementary knowledge of the key principles and concepts. The presentation is occasionally weak.

Grade range 27-29 – Good. Comprehensive knowledge. Good presentation.

30 – Very Good. Detailed knowledge with hints of critical thinking. Very good presentation.

30 cum laude – Outstanding. Excellent knowledge and depth of understanding. Excellent presentation.

 

During the viva you will not be allowed to use any written material, either on paper or in electronic format.

Teaching tools

The teacher will occasionally distribute handouts and project slides.

Office hours

See the website of Giorgio Volpe