Topics in epistemology

Basic Information

Course 2016/2017

Lecturer

Manuel García-Carpintero

Michele Palmira

Semester

2nd.

Department

Department of Philosophy

University

Universitat de Barcelona

Module

Module 7. Issues in Contemporary Theoretical and Practical Philosophy

Code

570638

Credits

Language

English

Dates

2017-02-21

2017-05-23

Schedule

Tue. 9:30-12

Location

UB, Seminar Room ex-department of logic, room 4047

Description

This course will offer a survey of some recent debates in contemporary epistemology, including: whether knowledge is analyzable, whether knowledge is contextual, whether skepticism can be refuted, whether there is a priori knowledge, whether there is immediate justification, whether justification is internal or external, and whether truth is the primary epistemic goal.

Methodology

There will be 12 sessions, and each one will focus on a different debate of current interest in contemporary epistemology. Students are expected to read the assigned readings in advance and prepare questions and comments for discussion. After the first introductory session, each session will be run as a discussion-intensive seminar, where all students are expected to ask questions and participate in the discussion. Students are also expected to volunteer to do at least one presentation during the term. These presentations will be 15-20 minutes long, and the student is supposed to summarize and explain one central argument from the assigned readings. The plan is to have 1 or 2 presentations at the beginning of each session to get discussion started. Students can choose the date and topic of their presentations during the first, introductory session on 21/02/2017 (see tentative list of topics below). Suggestions by email before that date are also welcome,

Evaluation

The final grade for the course will be obtained on the basis of a final research paper (3000 words) (60%), class participation (20%), and a class presentation (20%).

Bibliography

There will be a required textbook for the course: Contemporary Debates in Epistemology, 2nd edition, edited by Matthias Steup, John Turri and Ernest Sosa (Wiley-Blackwell, 2014). All the assigned readings are included in the textbook, so students are expected to purchase their own copy. (Both paperback and kindle editions are available on amazon.es)