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 be introduced to some of the main debates in contemporary epistemology. The focus will be on the way in which a variety of contextual and pragmatic factors appear to affect knowledge attributions and knowledge possession (15 hours) and on the acquisition of testimony-based knowledge (15 hours).

This is an intermediate course, which presupposes some familiarity with the discipline: it is not recommended to those students who have not previously taken an introductory course in epistemology (if you are among them, please consider attending Philosophy of Knowledge (1) instead)

Readings/Bibliography

Compulsory reading:

The texts by Giorgio Volpe, Keith DeRose, Jonathan Schaffer, Jason Stanley, John MacFarlane, Neri Marsili, Tyler Burge, Elizabeth Fricker, Sanford Goldberg/David Henderson, and Jennifer Lackey comprised in Parts 1 and 4 ("Standard epistemici" and "La testimonianza") of:

N. Marsili, D. Sgaravatti, G. Volpe (eds), Filosofia della conoscenza, ArchetipoLibri, Bologna 2024.

 

Suggested reading:

K. DeRose, Come risolvere il problema scettico, in C. Calabi et al. (a cura di), Teorie della conoscenza, Cortina, Milano 2015, pp. 295-318.

D. Lewis, Elusive Knowledge, “Australasian Journal of Philosophy”, 74 (1996), pp. 549-567.

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

C. Wright, A Plague on All Your Houses: Some Reflections on the Variable Behaviour of 'Knows', in A. Coliva et al. (a cura di), Eva Picardi on Language, Analysis and History, Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 357-383.

N.B. Careful reading of Piazza's book is strongly recommended to students who have never taken an epistemology (Philosophy of knowledge) course before.

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

 

Students not attending lectures:

Same compulsory readings. However, students not attending lectures may benefit from reading in addition the texts by Keith DeRose and Tommaso Piazza listed under 'Suggested reading'.

Teaching methods

Fifteen two hours lectures will be delivered by the teacher during the first term. Eight lectures will address the way in which a variety of contextual and pragmatic factors appear to affect knowledge attributions and knowledge possession; the remaining seven lectures will address the acquisition of testimony-based knowledge. Students will be encouraged to contribute to whole class discussions.

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 the only way 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 have become acquainted with the relevant epistemological views and that you have acquired the notions and the terminological and conceptual competence required to understand contemporary debates on the role of contextual and pragmatic factors in knowledge attributions and knowledge possession, as well as on the acquisition of testimony-based knowledge.

 

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.

 

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders are entitled to special adjustments according to their condition, subject to assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact teachers or Department staff, but make an appointment with the Service. The Service will then determine what adjustments are specifically appropriate, and get in touch with the teacher. For more information, please visit the page:

https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students

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