Theory of Knowledge
Study Cycle: 1
Lectures: 30
Seminars: 0
Tutorials: 0
ECTS credit: 3
Lecturer(s): izr. prof. dr. Vörös Sebastjan
Epistemology or theory of knowledge is a branch of philosophy concerned with the nature, limits, and types of cognition and knowledge.
The aim of the course is to develop students’ knowledge of:
- fundamental epistemological questions;
- historical developmentsof epistemology;
- different theoretical approaches in epistemology;
- relations between epistemology and other disciplines (particularly metaphysics and philosophy of mind);
- relationship between epistemology and other sciences (particularly cognitive science and historical sciences; the problem of naturalization and historization of epistemology);
- social, feminist, postmodernist criticism of classical epistemology;
- alternative approaches to epistemology.
Topics include:
- role of knowledge in contemporary society;
- nature, conditions, and types of knowledge;
- classical definition of knowledge (justified true belief) and its criticisms;
- problem of skepticism (Ancient and Modern skepticism);
- sources of knowledge (perception, reasoning, memory, testimony, introspection, intuition, empathy);
- knowledge and virtues (virtue epistemology);
- naturalization and historicization of epistemology;
- criticism of traditional epistemology;
- status and nature of knowledge in science, ethics, and religion.