PHIL 335.001 – Theory of Knowledge

Instructor: Alex Worsnip. This course meets TR 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. in CW 105.

This class is a survey of epistemology, or the theory of knowledge. The material of the class is organized into three broad sections. The first investigates the nature of knowledge – asking, in general: what does it take to know something? The second investigates arguments for skepticism – the view that we can’t know much of anything at all – and some prominent responses to those arguments. The third turns to the questions about the point and role of knowledge: does it matter whether we know things? And how, if at all, is knowledge connected to our practical and ethical concerns? A prior class in philosophy is required to enroll, but no background in epistemology in particular will be assumed.

Prerequisite: 1 PHIL course.