Introductory description

PH148 - Philosophy for the Real World: Knowledge, Ignorance and Bullshit

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. Harry Frankfurt’s notion of bullshit.
2. Relativism, ‘post-truth’ and ‘alternative facts’.
3. The manufacturing and spreading of doubt about science.
4. Fact checking
5. Which experts (if any) should we trust?
6. Holocaust denial and Kripke’s dogmatism paradox.
7. Charles Mills on ‘white ignorance’.
8. The philosophy of conspiracy theories.
9. Epistemic vice.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• At the end of this course, students should have (i) acquired an understanding of some fundamental concepts and debates in epistemology; (ii) grasped the possibility and value of applying abstract philosophical concepts to contemporary issues, and (iii) become familiar with the relevant philosophical literature; (iv) developed the capacity to engage effectively with a range of epistemological ideas, themes and arguments in their written work.

Indicative reading list

1. Harry Frankfurt, On Bullshit
2. David Coady, What to Believe Now: Applying Epistemology to Contemporary Issues.
3. Maria Baghramian, Relativism
4. Naomi Oreskes & Erik Conway, Merchants of Doubt
5. Robert Proctor & Londa Schiebinger (eds.) Agnotology
6. Lee McIntyre, Post-Truth
7. Quassim Cassam, Vices of the MInd
8. Charles Mills, ‘White Ignorance’ in Robert Proctor & Londa Schiebinger (eds.) Agnotology
9. Saul Kripke, ‘Two Paradoxes of Knowledge’.
10. Quassim Cassam, Conspiracy Theories
11. Brian Keeley, Of Conspiracy Theories’, Journal of Philosophy 1999.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

The ability to understand, analyse and criticise philosophical ideas and arguments. The ability to apply philosophical ideas to real world problems and issues.

Transferable skills

The ability to argue, analyse complex ideas, and write clearly. The ability to grasp complex ideas and arguments, identify their strengths and weaknesses and write about them in a structured manner.