180088 VO Knowledge theory (2017S)

The lectures offer a general introduction into epistemology, with a special emphasis on the epistemology of perception. The central concepts and theories in epistemology will be presented and will be applied especially to the case of perception. Our perception is an essential source of knowledge. Whether perception can be a justification for our knowledge depends on the specific views of perception we may adopt. The different classical views of perception will be presented, as well as their consequences for epistemology. The course will focus on the following theories of perception: phenomenalism and the sense data theory, indirect realism, the adverbial theory of perception, the representational (or intentional) theory of perception, disjunctivism and direct (or naïve) realism. The course shall enable the student to understand these positions and their central arguments.

The course aims also to introduce the students to the central concepts of epistemology and of the philosophy of perception: intentionality, propositional content, justification, evidence. It will also give an introduction to the central problems and questions of contemporary epistemology of perception: Do perceptual states have a propositional content, in the same way as our beliefs do (representationalism)? Do we stand in direct contact to the objects and properties of our environment (direct realism)? Which kind of properties can we perceive (color, form etc.)? Can we perceive causes, dispositions, natural kinds or emotions, or only basic perceptual properties like color and form? The answers to these questions have immediate consequences for epistemology: How can beliefs (with propositional content) be justified, if perceptual states do not have propositional content? Can only beliefs about perceivable properties be justified by perception? How can we know individuals and singular objects if we do not stand in a direct perceptual contact to them? The course will enable to understand such central questions and problems of contemporary epistemology and philosophy of perception.

Method: The lectures will have an introductory character and will not presuppose any previous knowledge in epistemology or the philosophy of perception. Each lecture will present a central position in the field and will expose its arguments. It will close with a short discussion of the presented material.