PHL 3203 - Epistemology

• Demonstrate knowledge of some of the key themes and questions in epistemology
• Exhibit familiarity with key theories and positions in epistemology (e.g., empiricism, rationalism, foundationalism, coherentism, etc.)
• Articulate philosophical questions and positions within epistemology clearly and precisely, explaining their significance, context, and further implications
• Reconstruct and analyze philosophical arguments within epistemology in a way that displays evidence of clear, critical, and precise thinking
• Engage in comparative analysis and evaluation of different philosophical perspectives on key topics in epistemology
• Engage in independent philosophical inquiry, dialogue, and argument through both discussion and written work
• Recognize the bearing of epistemological inquiry on real-world problems (e.g., conspiracy theories, “fake news,” etc.)

• None

• The problem of the external world
• Skepticism
• Dogmatism (e.g., Moore on the problem of the external world)
• Empiricism
• Rationalism
• A priori and a posteriori knowledge (e.g., views on the synthetic a priori)
• Foundationalism about justification
• Coherentism about justification
• Internalism about justification
• Externalism about justification
• Evidentialism
• Reliabilism
• The Gettier problem for the justified, true belief analysis of knowledge
• Testimony
• The ethics of belief (including pragmatist responses)
• The nature of belief as a mental state
• Social epistemology
• Epistemology and philosophy of science
• Epistemology and social and political philosophy (e.g., “epistocracy,” knowledge and democracy)
• Applied epistemology (e.g., “fake news,” conspiracy theories)