Module: What can I know? Philosophy of Knowledge

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	What can I know? Philosophy of Knowledge
Module Code	PHE1006 (ITS: PH200)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Theology, Philosophy & Music
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

In this intermediate module students will be introduced to the study of knowledge as such, or what in philosophy is referred to as the discipline of epistemology. This module will take a primarily thematic approach which nonetheless is grounded in the various historical epochs of philosophy. Starting with the figure of Socrates and his declaration “know thyself” the first part of the course will explore philosophy as a way of life and a journey towards self knowledge. Here, we will move from the Socratic moment through to later Stoic exercises in self understanding. Next, the emergence of more faith based understandings of knowledge in the medieval period will be examined. Augustine’s theological dictum of “faith seeking understanding” will be the central starting point of this discussion. The emergence of modern philosophy is explored through the revolution in the concepts of knowledge and doubt which Descartes introduces. Following on from this, later modern thought calls into question the very basis and justification for epistemology itself, with Nietzsche especially. The introduction of the concept of the unconscious in psychoanalysis emerges in more recent times and will be investigated through the work of various thinkers. The final part of the course looks at the question of the so called politics of knowledge, with particular reference to feminism.

Learning Outcomes

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2. Competently navigate the fundamental questions of epistemology as a discipline
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7. Analyse these questions of epistemology through specific themes and thinkers in the history of philosophy
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12. Interpret the core elements of a theory of knowledge as it develops from one historical period to another
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17. Recognise the particularity of modern developments in epistemology
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20. 4
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22. Recognise the particularity of post-modern developments in epistemology
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25. 5
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27. Through reflection, assess the relevance and utility from a more personal perspective of the central themes of knowledge as they emerge on the course
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30. 6

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Tutorial	15	No Description
Online activity	60	No Description
Independent Study	300	No Description
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	11724	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Fiachra O'Brolchain	Module Teacher	Bláithin Duggan, Shirley Anne O'Brien

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	n/a	30%	n/a
Essay	n/a	30%	n/a
Assignment	Essay, reflection & presentation	40%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

General Introduction - What Do I know?

Part 1 - Know Thyself (Socrates to Aristotle to Stoicism)

Chapter 1: Socrates, Knowledge and Virtue

Chapter 2: Plato and Knowledge

Chapter 3: Plato’s Allegory of Knowledge in Relation to Aristotle’s Philosophy

Part 2 - Faith and Knowledge (Augustine and Medieval philosophy)

Chapter 1: A Context for Later Greek Thought

Chapter 2: Themes in Epistemology and Ethics in Later Greek Philosophy I

Chapter 3: Themes in Epistemology and Ethics in Later Greek Philosophy II

Part 3 - I think therefore I am (Descartes and modern thought)

Chapter 1: Modern Thought: Descartes and Modern Rationalism

Chapter 2: Modern Thought: The Rise of Empiricism

Chapter 3: Modern Thought: Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason

Part 4 - Critique of the will to knowledge (Nietzsche etc)

Chapter 1: Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)

Chapter 2: Nietzsche’s Analytic Lens on Morality

Chapter 3: Nietzsche’s Doctrine of Life

Part 5 - The Unconscious of Knowledge (psychoanalysis)

Chapter 1: An Introduction to Slavoj Žižek and his Philosophy

Chapter 2: The Sets of Psychical Development

Chapter 3: The Unconscious, Language, Ideology and Knowledge

Part 6 - The Politics of Knowledge - (feminism etc)

Chapter 1: Foucault: Knowledge and Power

Chapter 2: Feminist Epistemology

Chapter 3: Epistemic Injustice

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Plato: 0, Republic, Book VII, The Allegory of the Cave,
Annas, J.: 1981, An Introduction to Platoâ€™s Republic, Oxford, OUP,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None