PHIL20490 Knowledge & Scepticism

Academic Year 2020/2021

"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, scepticism, 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 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? And what exactly is the nature of the injustice done to those whose voices are not heard?

These are the central questions addressed in this module. We approach them by studying classic and contemporary readings in epistemology.

The course is taught by Dr. Daniel Esmonde Deasy (Assistant Professor of Philosophy, UCD School of Philosophy) and is delivered in the form of twenty one-hour online lectures (two a week for ten weeks) and seven one-hour tutorials. Online lectures will be delivered live during timetabled slots (and recorded for those who cannot attend). Each lecture will consist in (i) a 30 minute presentation by the lecturer and (ii) 20 minutes of questions and discussion.

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.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

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

1. REFLECT critically 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. ARTICULATE their own responses to philosophical views, support them with reasons, and defend them in light of criticism

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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Y3utIeTPg&t=123s (copy and paste this link into your browser)

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 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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4AybWp4O8Q (copy and paste this link into your browser)

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Tutorial

7
Autonomous Student Learning

98
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
1. TEACHING

This module is taught on the basis of 20 online lectures (with two one-hour lectures per week for ten weeks), and 7 one-hour tutorials (delivered by a graduate tutor).

Online lectures will be delivered live during timetabled slots (and recorded for those who cannot attend). Each lecture will consist in (i) a 30 minute presentation by the lecturer and (ii) 20 minutes of questions and discussion.

In tutorials, students will have the opportunity to discuss and debate the week's readings and the material presented in the lectures in detail, as well as to raise questions concerning the material with the graduate tutor. Students will often be divided into smaller groups who will discuss certain questions and then feed back their answers to the whole group. There will also be an opportunity to discuss essay plans and essay feedback in tutorials. Tutorials will often be structured around specific questions and readings provided in advance by the tutor or lecturer. 

2. LEARNING

Learning for this module is centred around material presented in lectures; reading; discussion and debate; and writing. Students will be expected to read short set texts in advance of the lectures; to attend lectures/seminars; and to actively participate in tutorials. Students will be supported in their learning of the module material by both lecturers and tutors, both in lectures and tutorials, by email, and in set office hours. Students will be supported in their writing by a lecture on how to write a good philosophical essay; reading materials on how to write a good philosophical essay; comments on draft essays; clear feedback on submissions by the lecturer and/or tutor; and a clear rubric accompanying essays. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHIL20290 - Knowledge and Reality


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: A 1,500 word research essay on a topic introduced in the first part of the module. Week 7 n/a Graded Yes

50
Essay: A 1,500 word research essay on a topic introduced in the second part of the module. Week 12 n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

1. The lecturer and tutor will provide feedback on draft essays prior to submission (as long as drafts are presented by an agreed date). 2. The first submitted essay will be returned with extensive comments from the lecturer. 3. After the first essay has been submitted, there will be group/class feedback from the lecturer/tutor. 4. Students will have the opportunity to engage in self-assessment activities prior- and post-submission in tutorials.