Expand+PHIL20490 Knowledge & Skepticism
Academic Year 2021/2022
"A common refrain heard around New Scientist‘s offices in recent weeks has been “episte… what?!” Even among educated and well-informed people, epistemology – the study of knowledge ...

Hide-PHIL20490 Knowledge & Skepticism
Academic Year 2021/2022
"A common refrain heard around New Scientist‘s offices in recent weeks has been “episte… what?!” Even among educated and well-informed people, epistemology – the study of knowledge – is neither a familiar word nor a well-known field of enquiry. But it has never been more important." - New Scientist Leader, 29 March 2017

This course is about *knowledge*, and related phenomena such as belief; justification; skepticism; testimony; and disagreement.

In the first part of the course, we address some of the core questions of epistemology, such as: what exactly *is* knowledge, and how does it relate to true belief? Do we really know as much as we think we do? And what is the difference between a justified and an unjustified belief?

In the second part of the course, we address questions concerning the *social* and *ethical* dimensions of knowledge, such as: how is knowledge transmitted from one person to another? Is it right to base our ethical beliefs on what others tell us? What is 'fake news', and how should we deal with it? And, what exactly is the nature of the injustice done to those whose true beliefs are not accredited as knowledge?

These are the central questions addressed in this module. We approach them by analysing classic and contemporary texts in epistemology; by carefully formulating arguments and responses to those arguments; and through discussion and debate.

The course is assessed on the basis of two research essays, each worth 50% of the final grade (there is no exam). Students will be supported in writing their essays by (i) an essay rubric; (ii) a sample essay written by the lecturer; (iii) essay templates; (iv) links to relevant essay-writing resources; and (iv) extensive feedback on both draft and submitted essays.

The course is taught by Dr. Daniel Esmonde Deasy (Assistant Professor of Philosophy, UCD School of Philosophy) and is delivered in the form of 24 one-hour lectures and seven one-hour tutorials. Lectures will be delivered *live* during timetabled slots. Each lecture will consist primarily in the presentation of content by the lecturer, as well as discussion concerning the material.

[NOTE: If you are taking this module as an *elective*, then please note that it forms part of the Structured Elective *Philosophy of Mind* - see here: https://www.ucd.ie/students/electives/structured-elective-KK.html (copy and paste this address into your browser). Students can gain a Structured Elective in Philosophy of Mind (which is noted on their UCD Transcript) by completing 15 credits from the modules listed on the above webpage.]

Learning Outcomes:
As a result of studying this course, students will learn to:

1. CRITICALLY REFLECT on classic and contemporary debates in epistemology (the philosophical study of knowledge)
2. IDENTIFY key concepts and theories in epistemology, and SHOW AWARENESS of potential problems that have led to the refinement of those concepts and theories in the course of the relevant debates
3. INTERPRET and UNDERSTAND classic and contemporary texts in epistemology
4. WRITE well-structured and well-argued philosophical essays that explain and critically assess the key concepts and theories introduced in the module
5. RESPOND to essay feedback
6. ARTICULATE their own responses to philosophical views; support them with reasons; and defend them in light of potential objections

Indicative Module Content:
The module is divided into two parts. In Part I, we address questions concerning the nature and scope of knowledge. In particular, we will address questions such as:

1. What is the relationship between knowledge, truth, and belief?
2. Is it possible to provide a strict definition of what it is to know something?
3. Does knowledge require certainty?
4. Does the justification of belief depend solely on what goes on in our heads, or also on how we relate to the world around us?
5. How should we respond to those who argue that we have no real knowledge of anything outside our own private experiences and sensations?

For an introduction to some of the topics of Part I, see here (copy and paste this link into your browser):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Y3utIeTPg&t=123s

In Part II, we will address questions concerning the social and ethical dimensions of knowledge. In particular, we will address questions such as:

6. How do we gain knowledge from other people?
7. What is the rational response to disagreement?
8. Is it ever right to base our ethical beliefs simply on what other people tell us (even if they are reliable)?
9. What is 'fake news' and how should we respond to it?
10. What is the nature of *epistemic injustice*, that is, the unfairness that results from someone's knowledge being disregarded due to their membership of a certain group?

For an introduction to some of the topics of Part II, see here (copy and paste this link into your browser):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4AybWp4O8Q