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PH406K: SCEPTICISM (2020-2021)

Last modified: 24 Jun 2020 14:40


Course Overview

This advanced course in epistemology focuses on the recent philosophical debate on scepticism. We will single out prominent forms of scepticism and explore attempts to respond to them. The emphasis will be on external world scepticism and responses to it. The course doesn't aim to reject scepticism. Its function is rather that of illuminating and critically discussing problems affecting our most basic theses, notions and intuitions in epistemology through the analysis of sceptical arguments.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Luca Moretti

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Programme Level 4
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The course will focus on the debate on epistemological scepticism, will single out the principal types of scepticism emerged in contemporary philosophy and will explore important attempts to respond to them. The emphasis will be on global scepticism (or scepticism about the external world) and esponses to it. The latter will include positions based on relevant alternatives, rejection of epistemic closure, appeal to phenomenal dogmatism and entitlement theory, appeal to epistemology of modality and transcendental arguments.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

2500 word essay (50%)

3000 word essay (50%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ReflectionEvaluateto understand the positions of some of the main contemporary figures in epistemology; to be able to read and critically discuss journal articles carefully and identify key arguments
ReflectionEvaluateto be able to explain key concepts in epistemology; to understand the positions of some of the main historical figures in epistemology
ReflectionEvaluateto be able to read and critically discuss journal articles carefully and identify key arguments; to be able to articulate ideas clearly, confidently and systematically

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