B8931 - Epistemology (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course you will have a clear understanding of the main problems of contemporary epistemology and a detailed knowledge of some of the views that shape current debates on the structure of epistemic justification, the sceptical paradoxes and the interplay between evidential and pragmatic factors in ascriptions of knowledge. Besides, you will have built up an ability to reconstruct and critically evaluate the arguments offered in support of competing epistemological views.

Course contents

Genealogical Arguments: a Critical Overview

Genealogical thinking focuses on the origins of our representations and may lead to a variety of conclusions about the integrity of our concepts and the epistemic status of our beliefs. Uncovering the origins of our representations may throw an interesting light on the function they serve in our lives and strenghthen our confidence in them, but it may also debunk the epistemic credentials of certain classes of beliefs and lead us to get rid of them altogether. 

In this course you will be introduced to three kinds of genealogical arguments – neutral, vindicatory, and debunking – acquiring a clear understanding of the logical structure and epistemic force of each of them. The first series of lectures (10 hours) addresses the 'state of nature' theory by which Edward Craig attempts to illuminate some key concepts and problems of epistemology. The second series of lectures (10 hours) covers Bernard Williams' vindicatory genealogy of the intrinsic value of the virtues associated with truth, namely, sincerity and accuracy. And the third series of lectures (10 hours) tackles the genealogical arguments by which Nietzsche and other philosophers attempt to debunk our moral concepts and beliefs.

Readings/Bibliography

Compulsory reading:

Craig E., Knowledge and the State of Nature: An Essay in Conceptual Synthesis, Oxford: Clarendon, 1990, sects. I-V, X-XII, XIV.

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

Williams B., Truth and Truthfulness, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2002, chs. 1-6.

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.

 

Suggested reading:

Queloz M., The Practical Origins of Ideas: Genealogy as Conceptual Reverse-Engineering, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021, chs. 1-3, 6-7.

 

Students not attending lectures:

Required readings are the same for both students attending and not attending lectures. However, students not attending lectures may benefit from reading in addition the relevant parts of Queloz's book recommended as 'Suggested reading'. 

Teaching methods

Three two-hour lectures per week in the second term. The course is divided in three series of lectures , one for each topic listed in the Course contents section. (A Q&A session on the basic notions of epistemology is also planned; see below for more details.)

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.

Epistemology (1) (LM) implements a Supplementary Digital Teaching project: a series of 'epistemology pills' (videos) will be made available for download through Virtuale. In these videos Dr Neri Marsili addresses the basic notions of epistemology: they can be used to refresh your memory or fill gaps in your knowledge of the fundamentals of epistemology. A Q&A session will complete your watching the videos.

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 logic of several kinds of genealogical arguments and are able to assess their respective epistemic force. Moreover, you will you need to show that you have acquired the terminological and conceptual competence required to understand contemporary debates involving the notions of knowledge, sincerity, accuracy, and moral belief.

 

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.

 

N.B.: If Epistemology (1) (LM) is taken as part of the Knowledge and Ethics integrated course of the second cycle degree programme (LM) in Semiotics, the final evaluation will concern the integrated course and will involve assessment of achievement of the learning outcomes both in Epistemology (1) (LM) and Moral Philosophy (1) (LM). Students will take the two exams separately during the respective exams sessions.

 

Exam sessions

During the 2025/2026 academic year, exam sessions are scheduled in the following months: December 2025; January, March, May, July, September, October, and December 2026; January and March 2027.

 

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 occasionally distribute handouts and use slides. The material will then be made available through Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Giorgio Volpe