Philosophy 385
Theory of Knowledge
Professor Matthew Davidson
tinyurl.com/davidsonphilosophy
(allow 2 days for a response, put "Philosophy 385" in the subject line)
Office Hours: MWF 12-1:20 VA 228
Phone: 537-7727
Course Description.
This course will focus on central issues in epistemology including: (i) the analysis of knowledge, (ii) the relationship between justification/warrant and truth (as played out in internalism/externalism debate), (iii) foundationalism and coherentism, (iv) the value of knowledge, and skepticism.
There are two required texts for the class.
1) Arguing about Knowledge ed. Pritchard and Neta.
2) Epistemology by Richard Feldman
Additional materials are available on the course website.
About the Class
I expect you to come to class each day having done the assigned reading and with questions to ask. It will not be possible for you to read the material assigned for the course without having questions. You need to take notes on what you are reading, and you need to write down your questions and bring them to class. The material will be hard. This class will focus on critically evaluating ideas through class discussion and reflection both inside and outside class. I will not feed you information which I expect you to memorize, write down for a test, and forget. The goal of this class is to assist you in thinking. This often has little to do with memorizing facts. Also, just because you're not being fed a spate of information you shouldn't think you shouldn't be taking notes. You should be thinking hard about what is being discussed in class, and you should be taking notes as you think through problems and listen to what your classmates or I have to say.
Assignment of Grades
The grade will consist of two 5-7 page papers, and a number of short (1/2-2 page) writing assignments that will be given throughout the quarter. Each of the longer papers is worth 40% of the grade, and each of the graded shorter papers is worth 20/n% each, where 'n' is the total number of short assignments given. The papers should be typed, and double-spaced in 12-point font. If you do not receive credit for one of the short assignments, you may take it to the Writing Center (details on the website), work on it with the people there, and turn it back in to be re-graded. No papers will be accepted late without a very good reason. You should e-mail me to find out what you missed in class if you miss class; not knowing about the assignment isn't sufficient grounds for an extension on it. Always keep extra copies of your papers. All students should be familiar with the University regulations on plagiarism, as stated in the Bulletin. You may find a link to the Bulletin and information on plagiarism on the website.
Final grades will be assigned as follows: n0% will suffice for a grade G-. n3% will suffice for a grade of G. n8% will suffice for a grade of G+. (So, 80% is a B-, 83% is a B, and 88% is a B+)
Classroom Conduct
Please turn off cell phones during class. Please do not text message during class. Please don't walk in and out of class. Be respectful of the class. Be excellent to each other.
No knives (other than penknives), guns, or other weapons (throwing stars, nunchakus, garrottes, galleys, halberds, catapults, etc.) are allowed in class. If you have any of these in class, you forfeit your right to continue in the course, and may be ejected from the class and/or referred to the University for further disciplinary action.
Schedule
The following is a rough schedule of readings and assignments. We may deviate temporally from the schedule as our interests dictate, and we may examine additional materials to aid in your understanding of the texts.
Keep in mind that the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy will be of much help to you:
Week 1: The analysis of knowledge (Pritchard 11-27)
Week 2: Continue the analysis of knowledge. Begin the nature of justification--Internalism: Feldman (pp. 39-80)
Week 3: The nature of justification--Externalism (Feldman pp. 81-107). Pritchard (157-173, 192-205).
Week 4: Continue Internalism and Externalism
Week 5: The structure of reasons. Pritchard (209-249).
Week 6: The structure of reasons continued. Barnes/Davidson (website). Pritchard (249-292).
Week 7: Continue the structure of reasons. Paper 1 due. The value of knowledge (Pritchard pp. 37-74).
Week 8: Continue the value of knowledge. Skepticism. Pritchard (pp. 451-454) (Feldman 108-130, 141-156).
Week 9: Skepticism. Pritchard (479-495). Feldman on contextualism (website).
Week10: Finish skepticism. (If time: Boghossian on Sokal Hoax. Pritchard pp. 553-560).
The final paper is due the day of the scheduled final exam period.
Additional course materials may be available on the website.