This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Anna Mahtani
Availability
This course is available on the BSc in Philosophy and Economics, BSc in Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics and BSc in Politics and Philosophy. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.
Pre-requisites
Students must have, or be in the process of completing PH111 Introduction to Logic.
Course content
Each of us represent the world as being a certain way. Perhaps we have knowledge about the world, or at any rate beliefs, or probabilities in certain possibilities. But how do we arrive at these representations? Do these representations reflect reality? And which conditions should they satisfy in order to be rational? Are perception, memory, testimony and intuitions reliable sources of information? The way that we represent the world affects the choices that we make, but how exactly do or should we arrive at decisions? These are some of the questions that we cover in this course on epistemology.
The first half of the course is an exploration of classic epistemology. We begin with the argument for skepticism about the external world, and in seeking to solve this problem we consider a range of positions and arguments in epistemology, including: the JTB account; the causal theory of knowing; reliabilism; internalism and externalism; contextualism and semantic externalism.
The second half of the course focuses on modern formal epistemology. We first address the question which rationality requirements systems of beliefs should satisfy and study the logic of rational belief. Moving from a qualitative to a quantitative concept of belief, we explore Bayesian epistemology – a powerful account of rational degrees of belief or credence. Moreover, we address the Lottery Paradox and investigate ways to connect the quantitative and the qualitative concept of belief.
Throughout, the aim will be to give a sharp understanding of key concepts, arguments, and the logical relationships between different ideas. We aim to give students a conceptual toolbox for rigorous analysis that can be applied to a range of areas.
Teaching
10 hours of lectures, 10 hours of classes and 2 hours of workshops in the MT.
Lectures are taught alongside PH501 postgraduate students.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the MT.
Indicative reading
Assessment
Essay (80%, 2000 words) in the period between MT and LT.
Exercise (10%) and class participation (10%) in the MT.
Key facts
Department: Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method
Total students 2019/20: Unavailable
Average class size 2019/20: Unavailable
Capped 2019/20: No
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.