This course aims to introduce students to central topics in the theory of knowledge. The questions that will be addressed include: What, if anything, is the correct definition of knowledge? What is the nature of epistemic justification? Can epistemic normativity be ‘naturalized’? Can we know anything at all? Can we know anything by induction? What is ‘a priori’ knowledge? 

• Describe and critically assess contemporary epistemological theories 

• Extract material relevant to a particular problem from a large body of literature 

• Evaluate long chains of complex reasoning  

• Work independently 

• Construct arguments, both verbally and in written work, drawing on relevant philosophical work 

The module will be taught through a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning classes and activities, designed to fulfil the learning outcomes. These will be delivered remotely, and on-campus if the University deems it safe and practicable.

It is worth bearing in mind that, even though the point of the module is to do philosophy, many of the skills you’ll be developing are also highly valued by graduate employers. These include: 

• Critical Thinking: e.g. the ability to understand, structure and critically evaluate the key points and arguments made in written texts and discussions––achieved through e.g. reading, small group activities in lectures and seminars, plenary discussions in seminars, reflecting on lecture materials, essay and exam preparation and writing. 

• Communication: the ability to formulate and articulate your critical thinking, both orally and on paper, in ways that others can grasp and engage with––achieved through e.g. small group work in seminars, seminar discussions, essay/exam writing. 

• Organisation: the ability to organise and coordinate workloads––achieved through balancing e.g. reading, seminar preparation, essay/exam preparation. 

• Working with others: e.g. co-constructing ideas, responding sensitively to others––achieved through e.g. small group work in seminars, group presentations. 

A blend of coursework and portfolio assessments.

We will be using the following textbook throughout the entirety of the course: 

Bernecker, Sven, and Dretske, Fred (eds), (2000), Knowledge: Readings in Contemporary Epistemology, Oxford: Oxford University Press. 

Week 1: The Gettier Problem 

Ayer, ‘Knowing as having the right to be sure’ 

Gettier, ‘Is justified true belief knowledge?’ 

Week 2: Responses to Gettier 

Goldman, ‘A causal theory of knowing’ 

Dretske, ‘Conclusive reasons’ 

Week 3: Externalism 

Armstrong, ‘The thermometer-model of knowledge’ 

Goldman, ‘Discrimination and perceptual knowledge’ 

Week 4: Internalism 

Chisholm, ‘The indispensability of internal justification’ 

Bonjour, ‘The elements of coherentism’ 

Week 5: Epistemic Normativity 

Quine, ‘Epistemology naturalized’ 

Kim, ‘What is ‘naturalized epistemology’?’ 

Week 6: Reading Week 

Week 7: Motivations for Scepticism 

Stroud, ‘Understanding human knowledge in general’ 

Unger, ‘A defence of scepticism’ 

Week 8: Relevant Alternatives 

Nozick, ‘Knowledge and scepticism’ 

Lewis, ‘Elusive knowledge’ 

Week 9: Induction 

Russell, ‘On induction’ 

Goodman, ‘The new riddle of induction’ 

Week 10: A Priori Knowledge 

Kripke, ‘A priori knowledge, necessity, and contingency’ 

Kitcher, ‘A priori knowledge’ 

Week 11: Revision 

Course readings will be made available on Learning Central.

Bernecker, S. and Pritchard, D. (eds) The Routledge Companion of Epistemology, London: Routledge.  

Pritchard, D., (2009), What Is This Thing Called Knowledge? (2nd Edition), London: Routledge. 

Steup, M., (2005), Standford Encyclopdia of Philosophy. (Available online at: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/epistemology)