The Epistemic Quest for Truth: Introduction to epistemology from Coursera

The introduction of the internet and of social media has drastically changed our information position. We live in a time of ‘truth decay’: the distinction between opinions and facts is blurred, opinions have more impact than facts, and sources of factual information are increasingly distrusted. Since philosophers love truth, they deplore these tendencies. But what can they do about them?

In this course, you will be invited to reflect on whether, in what sense and to what extent, 2500 years of normative epistemology, or theory of knowledge, can be put into practice and help to reduce truth decay. You’ll be invited, more specifically, to reflect on

- the theory of knowledge,

- the analysis of knowledge,

- the possibility of knowledge,

- the structure of knowledge,

- the kinds of knowledge, and

- the value of knowledge.

Think of a pressing example of truth decay that strikes you and wonder how epistemology may go against it.

What's inside

Syllabus

The theory of knowledge

As far as epistemology or theory of knowledge is concerned, reality outruns the philosophical imagination. The introductory module refers to some pressing, real world epistemological problems, touches on the underlying questions in analytic, normative epistemology, and structures the MOOC.

The analysis of knowledge

Ever since Plato, philosophers have wondered what knowledge is. 'Belief' is necessary, but it's not sufficient. 'True belief' is necessary, but insufficient as well, because it doesn't rule out epistemic luck. But as Gettier demonstrated, even 'justified true belief' doesn't rule out all conceivable cases of epistemic luck. So how should we analyze knowledge?

The possibility of knowledge

Is knowledge attainable in the first place? Is knowledge within human reach? Shouldn't we be able to rule out all alternatives to know something? Or does 'enough is enough; it doesn't mean everything' apply? And if so, how does it warrant the possibility of knowledge?

The structure of knowledge

Is knowledge a pyramid, built on a large, solid foundation? Or rather a raft, with beams of wood that more or less hang together but can get adrift at sea? Or still, is it a crossword puzzle, which is not only solved by interpreting clues, but also by fitting coherently with the other words?

The kinds of knowledge

Some methods to produce beliefs, such as guessing or wishful thinking, are unreliable; more often than not, they produce false beliefs. By contrast, other methods to produce beliefs, such as perception, are reliable; they produce more true beliefs than false ones. In this module, we'll wonder whether being reliable produced in this sense suffices for a belief to be justified.

The value of knowledge

Knowledge can help to solve problems. But what role can philosophical knowledge, and more specifically epistemological knowledge, play in solving real world problems, like, e.g., truth decay? This final module discusses the heuristic and conceptual functions of epistemology, and the pivotal importance of 'contexts' in that respect.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops core concepts in epistemology, including theory, analysis, possibility, structure, kinds, and value of knowledge

Taught by renowned professor Tim De Mey, who is recognized for his work in epistemology

Provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of epistemology for students with diverse backgrounds

Examines the relevance of epistemology in addressing real-world issues such as truth decay

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Epistemic Quest for Truth: Introduction to epistemology with these activities:

Watch Crash Course Philosophy's video on "What is Epistemology?"

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Get a quick overview of epistemology and its key concepts to kickstart your learning journey.

Browse courses on Epistemology

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Go to YouTube and search for "Crash Course Philosophy: What is Epistemology?"
Watch the video.
Take notes on the main points of the video.

Read "Foundations of Epistemology: An Introduction" by Keith Lehrer

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Delve into a comprehensive book that provides a solid foundation in epistemology, covering different theories of knowledge, skepticism, and the nature of justification.

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Purchase or borrow a copy of "Foundations of Epistemology: An Introduction" by Keith Lehrer.
Read the book, taking notes as you go.
Summarize the main arguments of each chapter.

Review foundational concepts in philosophy

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Strengthen your grasp of core philosophical concepts to provide a solid foundation for your epistemology studies.

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Review your notes or textbooks from previous philosophy courses.
Read articles or books on foundational philosophical concepts.
Attend a lecture or workshop on philosophy.

Six other activities

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Organize your notes, assignments, and materials

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Stay organized and enhance your learning experience by creating a central repository for all your course materials.

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Gather all your notes, assignments, and materials for this course.
Create a system for organizing your materials.
Store your materials in a central location.

Visit Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy's entry on Epistemic Luck

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Review a thorough explanation of epistemic luck to solidify the concept and pave the way for further learning about the possibility of knowledge.

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Visit the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy website and search for "Epistemic Luck".
Read through the entry, paying close attention to the definition of epistemic luck and the different theories that have been proposed to explain it.
Take notes on the key points of the entry.

Compile a list of epistemological fallacies

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Create a comprehensive list of epistemological fallacies to enhance your ability to identify and avoid common errors in reasoning and argumentation.

Browse courses on Epistemology

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Review resources on epistemological fallacies.
Create a spreadsheet or document to list the fallacies.
Include the name of each fallacy, a brief description, and an example.

Complete practice questions on epistemology

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Engage in targeted practice to reinforce your understanding of epistemological concepts and improve your critical thinking skills.

Browse courses on Epistemology

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Find practice questions on epistemology online or in textbooks.
Answer the practice questions.
Check your answers and identify areas where you need improvement.

Discuss the structure of knowledge with classmates

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Engage in peer discussions to explore different perspectives on the structure of knowledge, gaining insights into the diverse ways knowledge can be organized and interconnected.

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Find a study partner or group to discuss the structure of knowledge with.
Meet with your partner or group to discuss the topic.
Share your ideas about the structure of knowledge.

Write an essay on the strengths and weaknesses of Gettier's analysis of knowledge

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Applying your understanding of Gettier's analysis, write an essay to critically evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, furthering your understanding of the complexities of knowledge.

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Review Gettier's analysis of knowledge.
Identify the strengths of Gettier's analysis.
Identify the weaknesses of Gettier's analysis.
Write an essay that presents your evaluation of Gettier's analysis.

Career center

Learners who complete The Epistemic Quest for Truth: Introduction to epistemology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Journalist

A Journalist researches, writes, and reports on news and current events. They may specialize in a particular area, such as politics, business, or sports. This course may be helpful for Journalists who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to analyze and evaluate information.

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Librarian

A Librarian helps people find and access information. They may work in a public library, a school library, or a special library, such as a law library or a medical library. This course may be helpful for Librarians who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to evaluate the credibility of information sources.

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Lawyer

A Lawyer advises and represents clients in legal matters. They may specialize in a particular area of law, such as criminal law, family law, or corporate law. This course may be helpful for Lawyers who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to analyze and evaluate evidence.

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Risk Manager

A Risk Manager identifies, assesses, and manages risks for an organization. They may work in a variety of fields, such as finance, insurance, or healthcare. This course may be helpful for Risk Managers who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to evaluate the credibility of risk assessments.

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Policy Analyst

A Policy Analyst researches and analyzes public policy issues. They may work for a variety of organizations, such as government agencies, think tanks, or non-profit organizations. This course may be helpful for Policy Analysts who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to evaluate the credibility of policy proposals.

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Editor

An Editor reviews, edits, and proofreads written content. They may work for a variety of organizations, such as newspapers, magazines, or publishing houses. This course may be helpful for Editors who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to evaluate the credibility of information sources.

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Teacher

A Teacher plans and delivers instruction to students. They may teach a variety of subjects, such as math, science, or history. This course may be helpful for Teachers who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to teach students how to think critically about information.

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Researcher

A Researcher conducts research to answer questions or solve problems. They may work in a variety of fields, such as science, medicine, or business. This course may be helpful for Researchers who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to design and conduct research studies.

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User Experience Designer

A User Experience Designer designs and evaluates the user experience of websites and other digital products. They may work for a variety of organizations, such as businesses, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. This course may be helpful for User Experience Designers who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to create user-friendly and effective digital products.

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Writer

A Writer creates written content, such as articles, books, or scripts. They may write for a variety of purposes, such as to inform, entertain, or persuade. This course may be helpful for Writers who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to write clear and persuasive prose.

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Information Architect

An Information Architect designs and organizes websites and other digital content. They may work for a variety of organizations, such as businesses, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. This course may be helpful for Information Architects who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to create user-friendly and effective digital content.

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Data Scientist

A Data Scientist collects, analyzes, and interprets data to identify trends and patterns. They may work in a variety of fields, such as finance, marketing, or healthcare. This course may be helpful for Data Scientists who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to evaluate the credibility of data sources.

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Analyst

An Analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets data to identify trends and patterns. They may work in a variety of fields, such as finance, marketing, or healthcare. This course may be helpful for Analysts who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to evaluate the credibility of data sources.

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Public Relations Specialist

A Public Relations Specialist manages the public image of an organization. They may work for a variety of organizations, such as businesses, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. This course may be helpful for Public Relations Specialists who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to communicate effectively with the public.

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Consultant

A Consultant provides advice and expertise to organizations on a variety of topics. They may work in a variety of fields, such as management, finance, or information technology. This course may be helpful for Consultants who want to improve their understanding of epistemology and how it can be used to evaluate the credibility of information sources.

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