In this course we will consider three key issues addressed in contemporary epistemology or theory of knowledge.  We will begin first with the problem of giving an adequate definition of knowledge.  Some fairly straightforward thought experiments show the standard definition of knowledge, as justified true belief, to be inadequate.  But how to fix it?  By looking at several alternatives, we will consider the nature of knowledge and whether philosophy or empirical science should be what determines that.  This will lead to two other issues:  the nature of epistemic justification and whether justified belief is even possible, that is, the problem of scepticism.  We will look at some of the various theories of justification that have been proposed: foundationalism, coherentism, reliabilism and contextualism.  We will also examine the debate concerning whether what justifies a person’s belief must be accessible to that person, that is, the debate between internalism and externalism.  Finally, we will consider the problem of scepticism and the best philosophical response to it.

We will work through the above issues by reading concurrently two books whose authors, Laurence BonJour and Michael Williams, argue for quite different philosophical positions as ways to address these issues.  We will also read some classic papers on key positions written by Goldman, Chisholm, Quine and others. 

Required texts: 

1) Laurence BonJour, Epistemology: Classic Problems and Contemporary Responses, Second Edition (Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2010). Paperback.  ISBN: 9780742564190. $34.95 

2) Michael Williams, Problems of Knowledge: A Critical Introduction to Epistemology (Oxford University Press, 2001).  Paperback.  ISBN: 0192892568.  $37.95. 

3) Course Packet of articles to be purchased at Shakespeare & Company.  Approximately $20.00.