PHL 202 Theories of Knowledge

Theories of knowledge (epistemology) address issues such as the nature of truth and rational justification, whether knowledge comes primarily through reason or the senses and how our common sense beliefs about the world might be proven. Additional topics may include how much control we have over our beliefs, whether duties or rights apply to beliefs and the relationship between faith and reason.

Credits

4

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Explain the concepts of truth, rational justification and knowledge and how they are related to one another and how relativism and skepticism differ in their understanding of these concepts

2. Identify notable figures in epistemology and their contributions to the field

3. Explain concepts embedded in primary source material

4. Differentiate between rationalism, empiricism, the Kantian synthesis, analytic, continental, existential and postmodern philosophy and explain their different approaches to knowledge

5. Apply epistemological concepts to religion, morality and politics

6. Identify bias and evaluate the trustworthiness of various sources of information, especially in higher education and mass media

7. Examine their own beliefs in the light of various theories of justification