PHIL 215 A1 Fall 2021 Epistemology
ED 254 Phil Corkum
[email protected] http://www.philcorkum.com/
Course Description, Objectives and Prerequisites
We all think that we know things, but it is surprisingly hard to say what is knowledge and what conditions must be met to have knowledge. In this course, we’ll begin through reading Descartes, raising issues of scepticism, foundationalism, and self-knowledge; we’ll then study an issue central to the last fifty years of epistemology, the analysis of knowledge, looking at approaches such as reliabilism and causal theory; and we’ll study more recent developments, such as contextualism.
The pedagogical goal of the course is to introduce some of the main issues in epistemology; the student will also develop skills needed to take further philosophy courses. Although there are no prerequisites, and the reading workload is moderate, it’s unavoidable that many of the readings are difficult.
Textbook
The bookstore has a physical copy of Descartes, Meditations, the Moriarty translation; but all readings are also available online. See the schedule below for links, and the eClass coursepage for more information.
Webpage
The syllabus, pre-recorded lectures and additional information will be posted on the eClass coursepage.
Grade Distribution
There will be three essays, each roughly 3-5 pgs. double spaced, and to be submitted through eClass:
First Essay due Sept 29 worth 20%
Second Essay due Nov 3 worth 40%
Third Essay due Dec 8 worth 40%
Each assignment is an argumentative essay and is given a letter grade; the final course grade is calculated by grade point average (see Grading, below). The typical median grade for a 200-level Philosophy course is around a B-, but the grade distribution is not curved.
Office Hours
My office hours, F4-4:50 and by appointment, will be through zoom, accessible through:
https://ualberta-ca.zoom.us/j/6604731704
Please shoot me an email to let me know you’re coming, if you can.
Format
This is a blended on campus course. Much (but not all!) of the content of the course will be delivered through pre-
recorded lectures, posted on eClass by Mondays. These lectures allow for more active learning than in-person
lectures: you can time-shift the lectures, pause them while taking notes, and review them as often as you like. We
will meet in person on Fridays in our classroom. This is partly for discussion of the week’s material. Active
participation in the discussions is important for learning the skills needed to do well in the course. And there will be course content not in the recorded lectures delivered through the face to face meetings. Attendance in the Friday discussions is not assessed but is required.
Schedule Week
1
Syllabus and introduction
In person meeting Sept 1
Introduction to epistemology through Descartes Week
2
Descartes’ Method of Doubt required reading: Descartes, First Meditation (pp. 13- 17 in the Moriarty translation; see eClass for info) optional reading: Descartes’ Epistemology, sections 1-3 https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/descartes-
epistemology/
In person meetings Sept 10
Week 3
Descartes’ Cogito required reading: Descartes, Second Meditation (pp. 17- 24 in the Moriarty translation; see eClass for info) optional reading: Descartes, Third Meditation (pp. 25- 37 in the Moriarty translation; see eClass for info) optional reading: Descartes’ Epistemology, sections 4.1, 5.1-5.2
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/descartes- epistemology/
Sept 17
Week 4
Scepticism required reading: Skepticism, sections 1-3 https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/skepticism/
Sept 24
Week 5
Extra office hours Sept 27, 2-2:50pm
1
stPaper due Wednesday, Sept 29 2pm
Analysis of Knowledge Week
6
Knowledge, Gettier cases required reading: Analysis of Knowledge, sections 1-3 https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/knowledge-analysis/
required reading: Gettier reading (see eClass for info)
Oct 8
Week 7
Reliabilism required reading: Analysis of Knowledge, sections 4, 5, 6.1
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/knowledge-analysis/
Oct 15
Week 8
Causal Theory required reading: Analysis of Knowledge, section 6.2 https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/knowledge-analysis/
required reading: Goldman reading (see eClass for info)
Oct 22
Week 9
No Analysis Theory and methodological conclusions
required reading: Analysis of Knowledge, sections 7-9 https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/knowledge-analysis/
required reading: Zagzebski reading (see eClass for info)
Oct 29
Week 10
Extra office hours Nov 1 2-2:50pm
2
ndPaper due Wednesday, Nov 3 2pm
Reading Week
Recent Developments: Contextualism Week
11
Bank cases required reading: Stanley reading (selections tba; see eClass for info)
required reading: Analysis of Knowledge, sections 12- 13
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/knowledge-analysis/
Nov 19
Week 12
Contextualism and Invariantism
Nov 26
Week 13
Contextualism and scepticism
required reading: Skepticism, section 4 https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/skepticism/
Dec 3
Week 14
Extra office hours Dec 6 2-2:50pm
3
rdPaper due Wednesday, Dec 8 2pm
Required Notes Grading
Letter Pts
A+ 4.0
A 4.0
A- 3.7
B+ 3.3
B 3.0
B- 2.7
C+ 2.3
C 2.0
C- 1.7
D+ 1.3
D 1.0
F 0.0
Representative Evaluative Material: Representative evaluative material have been accessible though the Philosophy Department and Exam Registry, and you can contact me for more information.
Missed Tests and Assignments:
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Student Responsibilities:
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Disclaimer: Any typographical errors in this syllabus are subject to change and will be announced in class and posted on eClass. The date of the final examination is set by the Registrar and takes precedence over the final examination date reported in this syllabus.
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