C8881 - Epistemology (LM)

Learning outcomes

This course aims to provide a clear understanding of the methods and problems of contemporary epistemology. In its second part it focuses on selected issues in contemporary individual and/or social epistemology. Students will become familiar with the relevant theoretical options, acquire a thorough understanding of specific aspects of the current debates in epistemology, and develop an ability to reconstruct and assess sophisticated philosophical argumentation.

Course contents

The course is divided in two parts.

 

(1) An introduction to contemporary epistemology

The first part provides an introduction to contemporary epistemology. You will be introduced to the main issues of individual epistemology, including (i) the analysis of knowledge and the Gettier problem, (ii) theories of epistemic justification, (iii) internalism and externalism about epistemic justification, and (iv) scepticism. These topics will be introduced with an eye to their historical origins and then addressed more thoroughly through the lens of some key contemporary epistemological debates.

 

(2) The epistemology of genealogical debunking

Reflection on the origins of our representations may lead to a variety of conclusions about the integrity of our concepts and the epistemic status of our beliefs. It may illuminate the function they serve in our lives and strengthen our confidence in them, but it may also debunk the epistemic credentials of certain classes of beliefs and lead us to abandon them altogether. This part of the course (i) provides an overview of genealogical challenges to the epistemic standing of various classes of beliefs, (ii) reconstructs their logical structure, and (iii) offers an initial assessment of their epistemological force and limits.

 

N.B. This syllabus applies to students taking C8881 - Epistemology (LM) - 12 cfu. Students taking 90066 - Epistemology (1) (LM) - 6 cfu or B8931 - Epistemology (1) (LM) - 6 cfu are required to prepare only Part (1) An introduction to contemporary epistemology.

Readings/Bibliography

(1) An introduction to contemporary epistemology

Compulsory reading:

Lemos N., An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge, 2nd ed., Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021.

 

(2) The epistemology of genealogical debunking

Compulsory reading:

Nietzsche F., On the Genealogy of Morality (1887), Preface and First Essay ('Good and Evil', 'Good and Bad').

Joyce R., The Evolution of Morality, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2006, ch. 6.

Street S., 'A Darwinian Dilemma for Realist Theories of Value', Philosophical Studies, 127 (2006): 109-166.

Thurow J., 'Does Cognitive Science Show Belief in God to Be Irrational? The Epistemic Consequences of the Cognitive Science of Religion', International Journal for Philosophy of Religion, 74 (2013): 77-98.

Srinivasan A., 'The Archimedian Urge', Philosophical Perspectives, 29 (2015): 325-362.

Christensen D., 'Higher-order Evidence', Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, 81 (2010): 185-215.

Ye R., 'Higher-Order Defeat and Intellectual Responsibility', Synthese, 197 (2020): 5435-5455

Egeland J., 'The Epistemology of Debunking Argumentation', The Philosophical Quarterly, 72 (2022): 837-851.

 

Suggested reading:

Craig E., Genealogies and the State of Nature, in A. Thomas (ed.), Bernard Williams, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007, pp. 181-200.

White R., 'You just believe that because…', Philosophical Perspectives, 24 (2010): 573-615.

Queloz M., The Practical Origins of Ideas: Genealogy as Conceptual Reverse-Engineering, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021.

Palmira M., The Rational Enquirer, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2025.

 

Students not attending lectures:

The compulsory readings are the same. However, students who do not attend lectures are strongly encouraged to read Craig's Genealogies and the State of Nature, as this text will help provide additional context and support their learning.

Teaching methods

Three two-hour lectures per week in the first semester. The course is divided in two parts:

1) An introduction to contemporary epistemology (first period)

2) The Epistemology of genealogical debunking (second period)

Students taking 90066 - Epistemology (1) (LM) - 6 cfu or B8931 - Epistemology (1) (LM) - 6 cfu are required to prepare only Part (1) An introduction to contemporary epistemology.

 

Attendance to lectures is warmly recommended: it is the best way to become familiar with the background and tools that are necessary to understand the texts and an opportunity to contribute to whole class discussions.

Assessment methods

Oral examination. The viva will assess whether you have achieved the learning outcomes of the course.

(1) An Introduction to contemporary epistemology. You will need to show that you are familiar with the methods and problems of contemporary epistemology, as well as that you have acquired the terminological and conceptual competence required to navigate contemporary debates on (i) the analysis of knowledge and the Gettier problem, (ii) theories of epistemic justification, (iii) internalism and externalism about epistemic justification, and (iv) scepticism.

(2) The epistemology of genealogical debunking. You will need to show (i) that you are familiar with the main genealogical challenges to the epistemic standing of our beliefs, as well as that you have acquired the terminological and conceptual competence required to navigate contemporary debates on (ii) the logical structure of genealogfical debunking, and (iii) its epistemological force and limits.

 

N.B. Students taking 90066 - Epistemology (1) (LM) - 6 cfu or B8931 - Epistemology (1) (LM) - 6 cfu are required to prepare only Part (1) An introduction to contemporary epistemology.

Since B8931 - Epistemology (1) (LM) is part of B8930 - Knowledge and Ethics (I.C.), the final evaluation will cover the integrated course as a whole and will be based on the achievement of the learning outcomes for both B8931 - Epistemology (1) (LM) and B8932 - Moral Philosophy (1) (LM). However, the two exams will be taken separately during the examination sessions scheduled by the instructurs responsible for each course. The final grade will be the average of the two exam grades.

 

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. The use of AI tools is not permitted.

 

Exam sessions

During the 2026/2027 academic year, examination sessions are scheduled in the following months: October and December 2026; May, July, September, October, and December 2027; January and March 2028.

 

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders have the right to special adjustments according to their condition, following an assessment by the Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact the instructor but get in touch with the Service directly to schedule an appointment. It will be the responsibility of the Service to determine the appropriate adjustments.

For more information, visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students .

It is recommended that students contact the University office in advance. Any proposed adjustments must be submitted at least 15 days in advance for the instructor’s approval, who will evaluate their appropriateness in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

The teacher will use slides. These will then be made available for download on Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Giorgio Volpe