Philosophy
Current Students: Undergraduates
Core modules and Options at Level 10
PHI9KA - Scepticism and the Structure of Knowledge
We all assume that we know a great deal and that the world is pretty much as we take it to be. Nevertheless, it’s also the case that we all recognise that the world could, for all we know, be radically different from how it seems.
For example, I could be a brain-in-a-vat being ‘fed’ experiences by a computer. Or I could be the victim of a global conspiracy designed with the sole purpose of leading me astray. I could even be the fellow in the Chinese proverb who, rather than being a man who often dreamt that he was a butterfly was in fact a butterfly who often dreamt that he was a man! Far-fetched though these scenarios may be, they are all at least logically possible. If any one of them were true, however, then it would appear to follow that I don’t know anything much at all. Moreover, it seems plausible to say that I don’t know that they’re false (how could I?). This leads us to the ancient problem of radical scepticism: How is it that we ever get to have knowledge?
Many of the most interesting current movements in epistemology are motivated, first and foremost, in response to this age-old conundrum about knowledge. Accordingly, in this module we will examine these new proposals in the light of the radical sceptical puzzle and assess which of them, if any, offers a solution.
Outcomes
The module will introduce students to the main aspects of contemporary epistemology. It also aims, as do all Philosophy modules, to improve students' skills in critical reading, critical thinking, and oral communication.
Reading Material
The core texts for this module which you are strongly advised to buy is:
Noah Lemos, An Introduction to the theory of knowledge, Cambridge University Press, 2007
For background reading prior to the course, take a look at the following:
| Steup, M | 'Knowledge, Analysis of' | Stanford Encyclopoedia of Philosophy |
| Pritchard, D H | What is this Thing Called Knowledge? | (Routledge 2006) |
| DeRose, K. & Warfield, T. (eds.) | Skepticism: A Contemporary Reader | Oxford University Press, 1999 |
Availability: |
Honours students (semesters 6 and 8), General degree students. |
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Prerequisite: |
Any semester 4 Philosophy module |
Assessment: |
Coursework (one required essay) 50% ; examination (3 hours, 3 questions) 50%. Students may choose to submit a second essay to improve their grade. |
Teaching Pattern: |
Two one-hour lectures and one one-hour seminar each week |
Regulations: |
Seminars on this module are prescribed. Seminars involving presentations are compulsory. Attendance, coursework, and exam regulations are laid out in the Philosophy Student Handbook, section F. |
Please contact Philip Ebert if you would like to know more about this module.