KNOWLEDGE, REASON, AND BELIEF

PHI2KRB

2017

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

Think of all the different beliefs you hold about various matters. How many of these, if any, constitute genuine knowledge rather than mere opinion? What does this distinction amount to and why is it important? To what extent do the standards for what counts as knowledge depend on context? Can you know something without knowing that you know it? What makes a belief justified or reasonable? Is it ever reasonable to hold a belief if you have no evidence to support it? Is it ever reasonable to believe something that couldn't possibly be true? These are some of the central questions in epistemology--the philosophical study of the nature, extent, and value, of knowledge and justified belief. In this course we will explore these and related questions using both historical and contemporary sources. Epistemological questions crop up absolutely everywhere--in science, the humanities, politics, religion, and everyday life--and this course will give you the tools to tackle such questions wherever you find them.

SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorJake Chandler

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites Must have passed 1 first year philosophy subject (e.g. PHI1CRT or PHI1PPR).

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsN/A

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource Type	Title	Resource Requirement	Author and Year	Publisher
Readings	Various	Prescribed	Various	Various

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Research, critically analyse and synthesise unfamiliar ideas and lines of argument

Activities:: Essays, oral presentation.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy); Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research); Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

02. Employ rigorous and systematic methods in the resolution of complex philosophical problems

Activities:: Essays, oral presentation
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research); Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

03. Work collaboratively towards the formulation of a shared position in relation to the defensibility of a philosophical idea, claim or argument taking into account the relevant views of group members

Activities:: Oral presentation, discussion seminar
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy); Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)

04. Deliver a clear and effective oral exposition and discussion of a key philosophical issue, supported by appropriately designed visual aids

Activities:: Oral presentation, discussion seminar
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy); Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy); Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

05. Write articulate, focused and well-structured essays in support of a philosophical claim

Activities:: Essays
Related graduate capabilities and elements:: Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy); Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills); Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

Subject options

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Melbourne, 2017, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorJake Chandler

Class requirements

Lecture/Seminar Week: 31 - 43
One 3.0 hours lecture/seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment element	%	ILO*
Essay 1600 words	40	01, 02, 05
Essay 1600 words	40	01, 02, 05
Oral presentation	20	01, 02, 03, 04