The course aims to use the tools of epistemology to study communicative phenomena. To this end, we will first provide an introduction to the fundamental concepts of the theory of knowledge and the fundamental aspects of the scientific method. Some issues of social epistemology will then be addressed, such as epistemological disagreement, testimony and beliefs, the epistemology of experts.
At the end of the course, students will have acquired fundamental notions of philosophy of science and some tools to conduct the methodological and epistemological analysis of the communication models developed in various disciplinary sectors (such as cognitive science, psychology, ethology, theory of games).
At the end of the course, students will have acquired fundamental notions of philosophy of science and some tools to conduct the methodological and epistemological analysis of the communication models developed in various disciplinary sectors (such as cognitive science, psychology, ethology, theory of games).
teacher profile teaching materials
Some aspects of the social organization of science and its communication, such as the social norms governing it and peer review, will then be discussed.
Some problems related to digital communication will then be examined, such as the status of images produced through generative artificial intelligences (in jargon “deepfake”), with a look also at online gender violence.
Programme
In the Epistemology and Communication course, some theoretical tools from classical epistemology, such as formal logic and logical fallacies, and from social epistemology, such as the notions of epistemic vigilance and epistemic injustice, will be presented.Some aspects of the social organization of science and its communication, such as the social norms governing it and peer review, will then be discussed.
Some problems related to digital communication will then be examined, such as the status of images produced through generative artificial intelligences (in jargon “deepfake”), with a look also at online gender violence.
Core Documentation
English speaking students must discuss the program with the professor.Reference Bibliography
NB references are tentative: Papers & books on epistemology and science: • Goldman, Alvin and Cailin O’Connor, "Social Epistemology", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2021 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL =Type of delivery of the course
The course includes. (a) lectures with class discussion (about 50%) (b) commentary on exercises done at home (about 10%) (c) guest speakers (about 15%) (d) during the last weeks, student presentation of papers and class discussion (about 25%)Attendance
Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.Type of evaluation
For non-attenders, verification of learning is through an oral test, which consists of THREE MODULES to be agreed with the lecturer at least 2 weeks before the exam, where 1 MODULE = 1 book of your choice from those listed as the exam syllabus / 3 articles of your choice from those discussed in the course, and found in the teaching Moodle folder. Accordingly, an exam may consist of 3 books; 2 books and 3 articles; 1 book and 6 articles; or 9 articles. Attendees only are also offered the opportunity (a) to take 1 MODULE in itinere, through the performance of some exercises during the course. (b) to discount 1 MODULE by submitting a written paper (min 3000 max 5000 words, Italian or English), on a topic to be agreed with the lecturer and to be sent at least 10 days before the exam. (c) potentially, to take 1 MODULE by presenting a paper during a class. Accordingly, for an attending student the exam may consist of 2 books + exercises; of exercises + written paper + 3 papers; of written paper + 2 books/6 papers/3 papers and 1 book; etc.