Epistemology: Theory of Knowledge

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Brendan Walsh (Associate Professor of Philosophy)
• Email: bwalsh@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Lovell Hall 240
• Office Hours:
  • Wednesday & Friday: 10:00–11:30 a.m. (In person, Lovell Hall 240)
  • Thursday: 3:00–4:00 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

The analysis of knowledge, skepticism, justification, foundationalism and coherentism, internalism and externalism, testimony, and social epistemology. PHIL 315 provides an advanced, rigorous examination of central problems in contemporary epistemology and the theory of knowledge. Students investigate the analysis of propositional knowledge, the nature of epistemic justification, and radical skeptical paradoxes. The course contrasts classical internalist foundationalism and coherentism with externalist paradigms including process reliabilism, proper functionalism, and virtue epistemology. Later units explore social and applied epistemology, focusing on the epistemic status of testimony, peer disagreement, epistemic injustice, and the social structures of inquiry.

Prerequisites

PHIL 205 and PHIL 220.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of PHIL 315, students will be able to:

1. Analyze the Nature of Knowledge: Critique the classical justified true belief analysis of knowledge, Gettier counterexamples, and contemporary anti-luck and virtue-theoretic conditions.
2. Evaluate Theories of Epistemic Justification: Compare and contrast internalist and externalist theories of justification, evaluating foundationalism, coherentism, reliabilism, and evidentialism.
3. Assess Skeptical Arguments and Responses: Formulate epistemic closure principles and assess competing responses to radical skepticism, including Moorean dogmatism, contextualism, and contrastivism.
4. Examine Social Epistemology: Analyze the epistemic authority of testimony, the rationality of conciliation in peer disagreement, and Fricker's framework of testimonial and hermeneutical injustice.
5. Compose Advanced Epistemological Research: Draft analytically precise philosophical essays that defend an original position on justification or skepticism while charitably answering counterarguments.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Sven Bernecker and Fred Dretske, eds. Knowledge: Readings in Contemporary Epistemology. Oxford University Press, 2000. Approx. $45 digital rental, $85 print purchase.
2. Alkimi Contemporary Epistemology Reader and Case Packet. Free digital access provided on Canvas.
3. Total estimated cost: $45 to $85.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 1: AI Not Permitted for Graded Work)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), PHIL 315 operates under AI Level 1.

• What is permitted: You may use generative AI tools to look up formal definitions of epistemological terminology or check citation formatting for academic philosophy papers.
• What is prohibited: You may not use generative AI to construct philosophical thought experiments, write argument analyses, draft essay paragraphs, or complete examination essays.
• Disclosure: All submitted papers must conclude with an academic integrity certification stating: 'I certify that this paper represents my own original philosophical research, reasoning, and composition without generative AI assistance.'

Grading Components and Weights

• Midterm Examination: 20% (In class, Thursday, October 1)
• Epistemological Argument Analysis: 20% (Due Friday, September 25 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Research Essay: Internalism vs. Externalism: 25% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Reading Critiques: 15% (Weekly analytical critiques of contemporary epistemology articles submitted in Canvas on Mondays at 11:59 p.m.; lowest score dropped)
• Seminar Participation & Thought-Experiment Analysis: 5% (Active, prepared contributions to seminar discussions and thought-experiment evaluations)
• Comprehensive Final Examination: 15% (Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 8:00–10:00 a.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No extra credit assignments are offered in PHIL 315. Students are assessed entirely on their regular essays, reading critiques, class engagement, and exams.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Advanced seminar discussion in Lovell Hall 320 requires consistent, punctual attendance and deep engagement with primary texts. Up to two unexcused absences are permitted without penalty. Further unexcused absences reduce the final grade by one-third of a letter grade per occurrence. Missing more than five class sessions results in a failing grade. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Formal essays submitted late lose one-third of a letter grade per calendar day overdue and will not be accepted after four days past the deadline. Weekly reading critiques must be submitted on time to inform the seminar discussion.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 8:00–10:00 a.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).