Philosophy of Knowledge II

Code:

FILO017

Acronym:

FILCO2

Instance: 2014/2015 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Philosophy
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Philosophy

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
FILO	89	FILO - Study Plan	1	-	6	4

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

 

The discipline of Philosophy of Knowledge II aims at applying basic knowledge of epistemology acquired in the discipline of Philosophy of Knowledge I. The topics chosen for this course are rationality and perception. Both topics will be approached through a close reading of classic and contemporary texts.

Learning outcomes and competences

Students should be able to aplly to specific topics in philosophy of knowledge and theory of cognition in general the basic knowledge of epistemology acquired in Philosophy of Knowledge I.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Advanced topics in epistemology

Part I Perception.

1. Classical and contemporary debates on perception, illusion and hallucination. Representationalism, direct realism, skepticism and idealism in the philosophy of perception.

1. 1 J. Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.

1.2 G. Berkeley, The Principles of Human Knowledge.

1.3 D. Hume, An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding.

1. 4 T. Reid, Essay on the Intellectual Powers of Man.

1. 5 B. Russell, The Problems of Philosophy.

1. 6 J. L. Austin, Sense and Sensibilia.

Part II Rationality

1 'Practical rationality' and 'theoretical rationality'. Practical and theoretical irrationality. Akrasia. Self-deception.

1.1 Practical rationality

1.1.1 Motivation for action: D. Hume versus I. Kant.

1.1. 2 Intention in action: E. Anscombe.

1. 1.3 Reasons and causes: D. Davidson.

1.1. 4 Aristotle on the telos of human lives (Nichomachean Ethics).

1.2. Theoretical rationality

1.2.1 A. Goldman, epistemology and cognition (Epistemology and Cognition).

1.2 2 S. Stich, a pragmatist theory of rationality (The Fragmentation of Reason).

1.2.3 R. Nozick, how to do things with principles (The Nature of Rationality).

 

Mandatory literature

ANSCOMBE, Elizabeth; Intention, Oxford, Blackwell, 1957
AUSTIN, J.L; Sense and Sensibilia, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1962
DAVIDSON, Donald; Action, reasons and causes, in Essays on Actions and Events, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1980
LOCKE, John; Ensaio sobre o Entendimento Humano, Lisboa, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 1999
NOZICK, Robert; The Nature of Rationality, Princeton, Princeton University Press., 1993
Miguens, Sofia; Racionalidade. ISBN: 972-610-858-6
Miguens, Sofia 340; Aparência e realidade. ISBN: 978-989-689-032-2
Miguens, Sofia; Em que devemos acreditar?
Aristóteles, 384-322 a.C; Ethica Nicomachea
Berkeley, George, 1685-1753; Tratado do conhecimento humano. ISBN: 972-27-0994-1
Russell, Bertrand, 1872-1970; Os^problemas da filosofia. ISBN: 978-972-44-1452-2
Hume, David, 1711-1776; Investigação sobre o entendimento humano. ISBN: 972-27-1186-5
Locke, John, 1632-1704; Ensaio sobre o entendimento humano. ISBN: 972-31-0856-9
Reid, Thomas; Essais sur les pouvoirs actifs de l.homme. ISBN: 978-2-7116-2190-3

Complementary Bibliography

CADILHA, Susana; A teoria da acção de Donald Davidson e o problema da causação mental, in Miguens & Mauro, Perspectives on Rationallity, Porto FL-UP, 2006
Stich, Stephen; The fragmentation of reason. ISBN: 0-262-69159-0
Goldman, Alvin I.; Epistemology and cognition. ISBN: 0-674-25896-7
Editor: Edward ZALTA; The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, The Metaphysics Research Lab Center for the Study of Language and Information Stanford University Stanford

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures and close reading of works of main authors studied in the course. These texts and other materials will be available on the course webpage. Students are required and encouraged to participate in class, by presenting research assignments.

keywords

Humanities > Philosophy > Epistemology
Humanities > Philosophy

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	110,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Final exam. 30% of final grade correspond to a research paper whose deadline is the date of the exam.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final examination (70%), research paper (30%).

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not applicable

Classification improvement

Accordance with Assessment Regulations in force.