84995 - Philosophy of Knowledge (1)

Learning outcomes

The course's aim is to introduce students to the main views of human knowledge that have emerged during the history of Western philosophy, especially in the modern and contemporary era. Particularly relevant are the perspectives of phenomenological and epistemological research, which help to bring out the relation between philosophy, logic and psychology. Students should be able to employ these perspectives to recognise and understand the specific domains in which the various theories of knowledge are applied, with particular reference to the features of scientific research and the forms of experience which shape the various versions of the world. This will be obtained by studying the various theories of abstraction and concept formation; the notions of truth, coherence, correspondence and epistemic justification; the discussion of the philosophical problem of scepticism; the inquiry on the functions of language and the semiological aspects of epistemology. The course also aims to relate the various theories of knowledge to their metaphysical presuppositions, and more generally to the conceptions of experience which shape their views, as well as to the forms of the "living" (social, ethical and generally cultural) contexts in which such conceptions are embedded. The tools for achieving these aims include the reading and analysis of primary literature, the acquisition of the relevant lexical competence concerning epistemological issues, as well as the use of secondary literature to master the critical tools that are required to address epistemological issues.

Course contents

You will be introduced to some of the main issues of contemporary epistemology. The focus will be on sceptical challenges to our ordinary knowledge claims (15 hours) and on the analysis of (propositional) knowledge (15 hours).

Readings/Bibliography

Compulsory reading:

Plato, Theaetetus (any edition), I-VIII (142a - 153d7); XXXVIII (200c7 - 201b5).

R. Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy. First Meditation (any edition).

Chaps. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11 from A. Coliva, C. Calabi, A. Sereni, G. Volpe (eds.), Teorie della conoscenza, Milan: Cortina 2015 (you can read the English texts instead of the Italian translations collected in this volume).

R. Nozick, Spiegazioni filosofiche, Milan: il Saggiatore 1987, pp. 197-201, 230-245. (1st ed. in English 1981.)

 

Suggested reading:

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

Teaching methods

Three two hours lectures per week in the third term, half devoted to the problem of scepticism (15 hours), half to the analysis of knowledge (15 hours). 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 human knowledge that have emerged during the history of Western philosophy, especially in the twentieth century, as well as that you have acquired the terminological and conceptual competence required to understand contemporary debates on the problem of scepticism and the nature of knowledge, especially the notions of truth, belief and epistemic justification.

 

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