This course is open only to students enrolled in the Master’s degree programme PSTS.
In case you, being a student from another master’s programme, want to participate in this course, please contact the PSTS staff: y.c.h.dethouars@utwente.nl or m.e.tijhuis@utwente.nl
Course objectives:
This course connects to the final qualifications K2, K5, S1 and S2 of the programme, according to the following two learning objectives:
At the end of the course the student is able to:
- use interpretative methods to understand and engage with philosophical theories and texts
- use philosophical methods to identify, analyze and evaluate arguments in philosophical texts
- diagram arguments using a dedicated application
- reflect upon different ways of doing philosophy (methods, theories, means of expression)
At the end of the course the student has knowledge of:
- the basics of deductive and inductive reasoning and principles of textual interpretation some classical theories of the nature, foundations and value of knowledge at the roots of contemporary epistemological debates on technology
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In this interactive course, students are introduced to, and trained in, methods for actively engaging, interpreting, analyzing and evaluating philosophical texts. Students will learn principles of textual interpretation and visual argument-diagramming techniques proven to enhance students' critical engagement with text and argumentation skill (using MindMup application). To evaluate diagrammed arguments, students will learn to use the tools of basic logic (deductive and inductive reasoning and argument schemes) and identify common fallacies and cognitive biases.
In addition to methodology training, the course has a thematic focus on classical theories of knowledge (from Plato to pragmatism) at the roots of contemporary epistemological debates on technology. For instance, does the information we get from the internet count as knowledge or as pseudo- knowledge? Surprisingly, any debate on this issue is explicitly or implicitly informed by Plato's Meno, a lively and puzzling dialogue in which Socrates debates with his fellow Athenians the following question: is there any difference between knowing something and having a true belief about something without being able to explain why one's belief is true
Teaching methods
We will alternate interactive reading and evaluation of philosophical texts, group diagramming work and substantive discussion, lectures, and hands-on methodology training..
Assessment
30%: Group essay (diagramming an argument and critically interpreting a short text)
70%: Individual essay (diagramming, analyzing and evaluating an argument and interpreting a brief text by an author studied in class)
Short reflection piece (written, visual, tactile, or audio formats) (pass/fail)
Each component has to be graded sufficient or more (i.e. 5.5 or more or pass/fail).
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