Learning outcomes

The participants are capable of describing the central research topics, concepts, approaches, and arguments in epistemology and ontology. They are capable of identifying different conceptions of knowledge and their contexts, such as the standard analysis of knowledge and interpretational and social conceptions of knowledge. They are familiar with the most important theories of epistemic justification as well as philosophical theories of observations, and they are capable of reflecting on their shortcomings and virtues. They are aware of different conceptions of ontology and metaphysics so that they understand their philosophical questions and attempts to answer these questions. They are also capable of reflecting on these approaches in a critical way.

Contents

The course provides an introduction to epistemology, covering debates on different conceptions of knowledge, the problem of skepticism, the standard analysis of knowledge and its counter-examples, theories of epistemic justification, and naturalism in epistemology. The course provides also an introduction to ontology, covering different conceptions of being as well as debates on the categories of being.

Evaluation

Study materials

Book exam:

FILP4a Epistemology: Williams, Michael 2001. Problems of Knowledge: A Critical Introduction to Epistemology

AND

FILP4b Ontology: Garrett, Brian 2006. What is this thing called metaphysics

Belongs to following study modules

2012–2013

Teaching

Archived Teaching Schedule. Please refer to current Teaching Shedule.

FILP4 Tieto-oppi ja ontologia

FILP4 Tieto-oppi ja ontologia (AYO, lähiopetus, Tampere)

For Open University students only

FILP4 Tieto-oppi ja ontologia (AYO, lähiopetus, Tampere)