Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2020 - 2021
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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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Competently navigate the fundamental questions of epistemology as a discipline 2. Analyse these questions of epistemology through specific themes and thinkers in the history of philosophy 3. Interpret the core elements of a theory of knowledge as it develops from one historical period to another 4. Recognise the particularity of modern developments in epistemology 5. Recognise the particularity of post-modern developments in epistemology 6. Through reflection, assess the relevance and utility from a more personal perspective of the central themes of knowledge as they emerge on the course | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 |
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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 VirtueChapter 2: Plato and KnowledgeChapter 3: Plato’s Allegory of Knowledge in Relation to Aristotle’s PhilosophyPart 2 - Faith and Knowledge (Augustine and Medieval philosophy)Chapter 1: A Context for Later Greek ThoughtChapter 2: Themes in Epistemology and Ethics in Later Greek Philosophy IChapter 3: Themes in Epistemology and Ethics in Later Greek Philosophy IIPart 3 - I think therefore I am (Descartes and modern thought)Chapter 1: Modern Thought: Descartes and Modern RationalismChapter 2: Modern Thought: The Rise of EmpiricismChapter 3: Modern Thought: Kant’s Critique of Pure ReasonPart 4 - Critique of the will to knowledge (Nietzsche etc)Chapter 1: Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)Chapter 2: Nietzsche’s Analytic Lens on MoralityChapter 3: Nietzsche’s Doctrine of LifePart 5 - The Unconscious of Knowledge (psychoanalysis)Chapter 1: An Introduction to Slavoj Žižek and his PhilosophyChapter 2: The Sets of Psychical DevelopmentChapter 3: The Unconscious, Language, Ideology and KnowledgePart 6 - The Politics of Knowledge - (feminism etc)Chapter 1: Foucault: Knowledge and PowerChapter 2: Feminist EpistemologyChapter 3: Epistemic Injustice | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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