https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/W_BA_TPCSYou learn 1. to analyse philosophical problems and arguments from the history of epistemology 2. to reflect on underlying assumptions and the reasoning employed in philosophical arguments both historical and contemporary 3. to evaluate historical philosophical arguments and positions in contrast with contemporary formulations 4. to present philosophical arguments in written form 5. to evaluate arguments in peer discussion 6. to defend an argument in peer discussionMost modern debates and problems in epistemology have not just begun in the last century. Often, they pick up the ball from much older controversies. As a field, contemporary epistemology can be clearly traced to the works of a series of early modern authors, among others Descartes, Hume and Kant. We will consider a range of issues from contemporary epistemology through the lens of early modern authors. These issues include scepticism, the sources of knowledge, the structure of justification as well as the demise of Cartesian epistemology as the dominant perspective in epistemology.Teaching Methods Seminars (English). Every week there are 2x2 hours of teaching. Students must prepare before every seminar by reading and reflecting on the assigned text. During seminars students should be prepared to discuss the texts in small groups and/or with the whole class. A particular focus will lie on writing arguments and giving feedback on this. You will receive feedback on your writing both from peers and the lecturer at multiple occasions. In particular, the final essay will be discussed in a tutorial format during the last session of the course. Readings All texts will be available online and/or uploaded to the ‘files’ section of Canvas. There are no books to purchase for this course. Participation Presence at the following meetings is mandatory: first meeting, your argument discussion meeting, paper proposal meeting, tutorial essay discussion meeting.1) One short argument reconstruction from the readings & peer discussion during class (pass/fail) (learning objectives 4-6) 2) Paper Proposal (pass/fail) (learning objectives 1-4) 3) Essay (100% of grade) (1000-2000 words) to be submitted during the term (learning objective 1-4) 4) Tutorial essay discussionduring the last session of the term (pass/fail) (learning objective 4-6)A background in epistemology is particularly recommended.