Theory of Knowledge II

Pre-requisites: None

Course objectives: Introduction to the basic conceptual and substantial problems of the theory of knowledge, i.e. the most influential traditional and contemporary philosophical conceptions of knowledge and epistemic justification, as well as to the key issues concerning the origin, nature and structure of human knowledge.

Course description: The first part of the course analyzes the classical definition of knowledge as justified true belief. Its advantages and difficulties (Gettier's counterexamples) are considered and some contemporary attempts to improve the definition are outlined. Most of the attention is paid to the third, epistemic condition: justification. This part of the course deals with the most important theories of epistemic justification. Finally, a special attention will be paid to the naturalistic approach to the theory of knowledge. The second part of the course deals with some of the basic epistemological issues, primarily with problems of nature, structure and forms of human knowledge. In the course of the exercises, students will present the text form the course literature and further clarify the concepts and theories they encountered at the lectures.

Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to understand the basic epistemological concepts and will gain knowledge about the key attempts to solve the most significant problems of theory of knowledge.