85002 - Philosophy of Knowledge (2)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course you will be familiar with some of the main views which are at the centre of current debates on such topics as the nature of knowledge, the structure of epistemic justification and the sceptical paradoxes. Besides, you will have built up an ability to reconstruct and critically evaluate the arguments offered in support of competing epistemological views.

Course contents

You will become familiar with some of the main debates of contemporary epistemology. The focus will be on the nature of epistemic justification (10 hours), the architecture of perceptual justification (10 hours) and neo-Wittgensteinian and neo-Moorean solutions to the sceptical paradoxes (10 hours).

Readings/Bibliography

Compulsory reading:

W. Sellars, Empirismo e filosofia della mente, Turin: Einaudi 2004, pp. 1-56 (§§ 1-38).

J. McDowell, Mente e mondo, Turin: Einaudi 1999, pp. 1-48 (Lectures I and II).

Chaps. 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, and 15 from A. Coliva, C. Calabi, A. Sereni, G. Volpe (eds.), Teorie della conoscenza, Milan: Cortina 2015.

 

Suggested reading:

R. Brandom, 'Guida al testo', in W. Sellars, Empirismo e filosofia della mente, Turin: Einaudi 2004, pp. 91-143.

C. Calabi, Filosofia della percezione, Rome-Bari: Laterza 2009, pp. 79-123.

T. Piazza, Che cos'è la conoscenza, Rome: Carocci 2017, pp. 1-102.

 

(Wherever available, you can read the English texts instead of the Italian translations listed above).

 

N.B. Piazza's book is compulsory reading for students who have never taken an epistemology (Philosophy of knowledge) course before.

Teaching methods

Fifteen two hours lectures will be delivered by the teacher in the first term. The first five lectures will cover traditional debates on the nature of epistemic justification; the next five lectures will cover more recent debates on the architecture of perceptual justification; and the remaining lectures will discuss neo-Moorean and neo-Wittgensteinian solutions to the sceptical paradoxes. Students will be encouraged to contribute to whole class discussions.

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 the nature of epistemic justification and of the architecture of perceptual justification that have emerged in contemporary epistemology, as well as that you have acquired the terminological and conceptual competence required to understand contemporary debates on the problem of scepticism and to critical assess neo-Wittgensteinian and neo-Moorean solutions to the sceptical paradoxes.

 

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