Epistemology (V7061)

15 credits, Level 5

Autumn teaching

Epistemology is a central philosophical area and pertains to issues concerned with knowledge and how we acquire it.

In this module, you concentrate on current issues in contemporary epistemology, though your studies are also informed by certain important historical debates and figures.

You address questions that may include:

• what is knowledge?
• is certain knowledge a genuine possibility?
• what makes a belief justified?
• is there such a thing as epistemic virtue?
• what are the special problems surrounding inductive knowledge?
• does one have special privileged access to knowledge about one's own mind?
• how might perception best be characterised?

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 22 hours of contact time and about 128 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2023/24. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses:

• History and Philosophy BA
• Philosophy BA
• Philosophy and English BA
• Philosophy and Sociology BA
• Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) BA
• Politics and Philosophy BA