Aims

By the end of the course, the students should:
be familiar with the basic concepts that come into play in a rational debate;
understand how a debate can aspire to the truth in a founded and critical manner;
have an idea of the many answers offered to the question: "what can I know?"

Main themes

Analyze thinking processes (conceiving, judging, reasoning).
Examine the obstacles to knowledge (doubt, error, contradiction), and the means for overcoming these obstacles.
Give an account of the main tendencies of epistemology (empiricism, rationalism, realism).

NB: We treat epistemology as a general theory of knowledge. Epistemology can also be considered as an introduction to other philosophy courses (metaphysics, anthropology, philosophy of nature, etc.).

Content and teaching methods

Content of the course:
How is rationality experienced today? What are the implications for learning and action? What are the consequences at the social and political level ?

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental issues of epistemological investigation. Some emphasis will be given to the pragmatic and procedural approaches of epistemology.

Methods:
The course is composed of :
Lectures outlining the conceptual and historical frameworks inherent to epistemological reflection;
Tutorials related to the lectures and the reading and analysis of epistemological texts;

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Pre-requisites: Introductory philosophy course.

Assessment: The exam bears on the lectures (60% of the grade); on the participation in the tutorial (20% of the grade); and on the essay (20% of the grade).

Supporting material: Class notes, syllabus (http://www.icampus.ucl.ac.be/FILO1320/), reading package.

Course holder/Course supervision: An EFT assistant (leading the tutorial and the library work, writing assistance).

Other credits in programs