Teaching Theory of Knowledge

Epistemology and Psychology

CONTRIBUTORS:

John Biro, Alvin Goldman, Mark Rollins, Joe Tolliver.

      This unit presents three possible courses to link epistemology with cognitive psychology (or cognitive science). The first is an eclectic course, using several different epistemological programs that delineate bridges with cognitive science. The second chooses a single epistemological program -- that of "primary epistemics" -- and works through its theoretical foundations and its style of allying epistemology with psychology. The third course focuses on a single topic within epistemology--perception--and presents material from both the philosophical and psychological literature. A syllabus is given for each course, though all syllabi include more material (at least as optional readings) than could realistically be covered in a single semester. Instructors should select what seems most promising to them.

Division of the unit:

1. Epistemology and Cognitive Psychology
2. The "Primary Epistemics" Program
3. Perception, Perceptual Belief, and Knowledge

Cross Reference

For a discussion of the relationship between epistemology and psychology, see also "Naturalistic Epistemology" in the "Contemporary Sources" section.