PHL 315 Reality and Knowledge

3 Credit(s)

The course examines contemporary metaphysics and epistemology. Metaphysics studies fundamental issues about the nature of reality such as ontology, mereology, modality, causation, space, time, the mind/body relation, free will, and materialism vs. idealism. Epistemology scrutinizes the sources, structure, limits, and nature of knowledge. Epistemological topics include skepticism, induction, whether the standards for knowledge vary, and what roles reason, the senses, memory, and testimony play in acquiring and justifying knowledge. Prior coursework in philosophy is recommended but not required. Three lecture hours per week.