Theory of Knowledge
Code: 108430Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | OB | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Olga Fernandez Prat
- Email :
- olga.fernandez@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.
Objectives
The main objective of this course is to introduce students to the philosophical analysis of knowledge, addressing its nature, possibility, limits, and justification. Epistemology, as a fundamental branch of theoretical philosophy, seeks to answer questions such as: What does it mean to know? How does knowledge differ from belief or opinion? How do we know what we know?
Throughout the course, students will reflect on both classical and contemporary problems in the theory of knowledge, including the debate between internalism and externalism, the epistemic value of knowledge, the challenges posed by skepticism, and the nature of justification. The course will also explore current topics such as social epistemology, cognitive biases, and the impact of information technologies on the formation of knowledge.
The specific objectives of the course include:
— Critically analyzing the main theories concerning the definition of knowledge, including the traditional conception of knowledge as justified true belief and its subsequent revisions.
— Understanding and evaluating skeptical arguments and the various philosophical responses that have sought to refute them.
— Examining the criteria of epistemic justification and their relationship to truth and reliability.
— Reflecting on obstacles to knowledge, such as deception, structural ignorance, informational noise, and social prejudice.
— Developing the ability to construct rigorous arguments and to engage critically with both classical and contemporary philosophical texts in the field of epistemology.
Learning outcomes
- CM20 (Compare different paradigms of knowledge, recognising the complexity and plurality of contemporary philosophical thought in its relationship with science and technology.) Compare different paradigms of knowledge, recognising the complexity and plurality of contemporary philosophical thought in its relationship with science and technology.
- CM21 (Value the uses of knowledge, questioning its forms of legitimation, exclusion or manipulation today.) Value the uses of knowledge, questioning its forms of legitimation, exclusion or manipulation today.
- CM22 (Develop a critical, articulated and reflective vision of knowledge in its multiple dimensions: epistemic, linguistic, scientific and technological and evaluate the challenges that these imply.) Develop a critical, articulated and reflective vision of knowledge in its multiple dimensions: epistemic, linguistic, scientific and technological and evaluate the challenges that these imply.
- KM23 (Cite the philosophical foundations of knowledge, as well as the historical, linguistic, scientific and technological conditions that shape it, identifying the relations and power structures that result in epistemological biases. .) Cite the philosophical foundations of knowledge, as well as the historical, linguistic, scientific and technological conditions that shape it, identifying the relations and power structures that result in epistemological biases. .
- KM24 (Identify the role of language and technology in the production, circulation and legitimisation of knowledge.) Identify the role of language and technology in the production, circulation and legitimisation of knowledge.
- KM25 (Explain the main contemporary theories and debates about truth, justification, rationality, meaning, objectivity and progress.) Explain the main contemporary theories and debates about truth, justification, rationality, meaning, objectivity and progress.
- SM24 (Evaluate scientific and technical discourses from a philosophical perspective, detecting assumptions, tensions and social effects in human and post-human viewpoints.) Evaluate scientific and technical discourses from a philosophical perspective, detecting assumptions, tensions and social effects in human and post-human viewpoints.
- SM25 (Analyse philosophical texts and arguments on knowledge, science, language and technology and the social impact of their development with conceptual rigour.) Analyse philosophical texts and arguments on knowledge, science, language and technology and the social impact of their development with conceptual rigour.
- SM26 (Use diverse philosophical approaches in the interpretation of current problems related to truth, communication, epistemic authority and technological innovation.) Use diverse philosophical approaches in the interpretation of current problems related to truth, communication, epistemic authority and technological innovation.
Contents
Block I. The Value of Knowledge: Knowledge, Democracy, and Public Life
Block II. Clarifying the Concept of Knowledge
Topic 1. Knowing, Believing, and Conjecturing.
Topic 2. Belief, Truth, and Justification.
Topic 3. Truth and Criteria of Truth.
Topic 4. Truth, Certainty, and Disagreement.
Block III. Obstacles to Knowledge
Topic 5. Cognitive Obstacles.
Topic 6. Social Obstacles.
Topic 7. Disinformation and Digital Ecosystems.
Block IV. Epistemic Injustice
Topic 8. Forms of Epistemic Injustice.
Topic 9. Epistemic Marginalization and Resistance.
Block V. Epistemic Vices and Virtues
Topic 10. Epistemic Vices and the Ethics of Knowledge.
Topic 11. Intellectual Virtues.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text discussion | 15 | 0.6 | CM20, CM22, KM23, KM25, SM25, SM26 |
| Study and independent work. | 40 | 1.6 | CM20, CM21, CM22, KM25, SM24, SM25 |
| Readings. | 30 | 1.2 | CM20, CM21, CM22, KM23, KM24, SM25 |
| Individual or group tutorials. | 7 | 0.28 | CM22, KM23, SM24, SM26 |
| Formal lectures | 45 | 1.8 | CM20, CM21, CM22, KM23, KM24, KM25, SM24, SM25, SM26 |
A. Teacher-led theoretical and practical classes: lectures supported by ICT tools, as well as large-group debate seminars and text discussions.
B. Literature search, reading of texts, and preparation of written assignments.
C. Independent study: preparation of outlines, concept maps, and summaries.
D. Tutorials: personalized guidance for students in the instructor’s office or in the classroom. Office hours and consultation arrangements will be provided on the first day of class.
TEACHING MATERIALS
To keep up with the course schedule, students are required to complete a number of mandatory readings, which will be specified at the beginning of the course.
The general bibliography included in this Course Guide provides reference texts that students are encouraged to consult in order to deepen their understanding of the topics covered beyond what is presented in class. Additional supplementary readings may also be recommended throughout the course.
COURSE ORGANIZATION
The course is organized into five thematic blocks. Each block will be accompanied by one or more required readings (book chapters or journal articles), which will serve as the basis for class discussion at the end of the block. Supplementary readings will also be made available on the Moodle course site. As their name suggests, these readings complement the lecture notes and may also be included in the assessment.
Note: In accordance with the schedule established by the Faculty/Degree Programme, 15 minutes of class time will be reserved for students to complete the teaching and course evaluation surveys.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam on Blocks I and II and the associated mandatory readings. | 40% | 1.5 | 0.06 | CM20, CM21, CM22, KM24, KM25, SM24, SM25, SM26 |
| Discussion of mandatory readings. | 20% | 10 | 0.4 | CM20, CM21, CM22, KM23, KM24, KM25, SM24, SM25, SM26 |
| Written exam on Blocks III, IV and V and the associated mandatory readings. | 40% | 1.5 | 0.06 | CM20, CM21, CM22, KM24, KM25, SM24, SM25, SM26 |
Assessment in this course is understood as a continuous and progressive process that takes place throughout the teaching period and is based on the completion of different assessment activities.
MANDATORY READING DISCUSSION MODULE (20% of the final grade)
The mandatory readings will be discussed in class. Before each discussion session, students must submit a brief written commentary following the guidelines provided at the beginning of the course.
During the class discussions, students will be asked questions based on their submitted commentaries. The oral responses of students selected at random, together with the corresponding written commentary, will account for 20% of the final grade.
If the use of artificial intelligence tools is detected in the submitted commentaries, the corresponding grade will be 0.
WRITTEN EXAMINATION MODULE
Two examinations will be held (40% each) covering the course content discussed in class as well as the mandatory readings. These examinations may include short-answer questions and/or multiple-choice questions.
To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum final grade of 5/10, calculated as the weighted average of the grades obtained in each assessment module.
At the beginning of the semester, students will receive the course schedule, including the dates of the mandatory reading discussions and the examinations. They will also receive the list of mandatory readings, which will be available in PDF format on the Virtual Campus.
SPELLING AND GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY
Spelling and grammatical accuracy will be assessed. The repeated occurrence of spelling or grammatical errors (a minimum of four) will result in a penalty of 10% of the grade for the assessment concerned.
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING IN EXAMINATIONS
The current university regulations will apply (Article 116. Assessment Results, as amended by the Governing Council Agreement of 19 March 2015):
If a student commits any irregularity that may lead to a significant alteration of the grade for an assessment activity, that assessment activity will be graded 0, irrespective of any disciplinary proceedings that may be initiated. If multiple irregularities are committed in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not permitted at any stage of this course. Any assignment containing AI-generated content will be considered a breach of academic integrity and will receive a grade of 0. Such work will not be eligible for reassessment, and more severe disciplinary sanctions may be imposed in serious cases.
REPROGRAMMING OF ASSESSMENT ACTIVITES
Reprogramming of Assessment ActivitiesIn those situations where, in accordance with Article 264 of the Academic Regulations and the supporting documentation that justifies them, assessment activities scheduled for the first assessment period must be rescheduled, such activities shall be rescheduled and held on the same date as the assessment activity corresponding to the second assessment period of the course or, where applicable, during the resit assessment period.
If the circumstance affects an assessment activity scheduled for the second assessment period, the activity shall be rescheduled to the date established for the resit assessment period, without affecting the resit process established for the course.
In all cases, taking into account the specific circumstances, the Degree Coordination, in agreement with the Course Coordination, may determine an alternative date if deemed appropriate.
"NO AVALUABLE" GRADE
Students will receive a grade of Not Assessed (NA) if they do not sit either one of the two examinations.
SINGLE ASSESSMENT
This course does not offer the single-assessment option.
REASSESSMENT
Students who fail the course or who wish to improve their final grade may apply for reassessment. Reassessment consists of two examinations.
The Mandatory Reading Discussion Module is not eligible for reassessment.
Bibliography
Course Textbooks
Blasco, Josep, i Tobies Grimaltos. 2004. Introducció a la teoria del coneixement. València: Pre-Textos. 2a ed. revisada i ampliada en castellà: València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València.
Quesada, Daniel. 2024. Saber, opinión y ciencia. Una introducción a la teoría del conocimiento clásica y contemporánea. Saragossa: Prensas de la Universidad de Zaragoza.
Reference Works
Boghossian, Paul. 2007. La por al coneixement. Sant Vicent del Raspeig: Obrador Edèndum.
Dancy, Jonathan, Ernesto Sosa i John Turri (eds.). 1994. A Companion to Epistemology. Oxford: Blackwell.
Fricker, Miranda. 2007. Epistemic Injustice: Power and the Ethics of Knowing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Greco, John, i Ernesto Sosa (eds.). 1999. The Blackwell Guide to Epistemology. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Steup, Matthias, John Turri i Ernesto Sosa (eds.). 2013. Contemporary Debates in Epistemology. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Sosa, Ernesto. 2007. Virtue Epistemology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Web Resources
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Disponible a: https://plato.stanford.edu/
Software
MOODLE COURSE ON THE VIRTUAL CAMPUS.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 2 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 2 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |