Epistemology

PIs: Annalisa Coliva, Elisabetta Lalumera
AIs: Walter Cavini, Wolfgang Huemer, Sebastiano Moruzzi, Eva Picardi, Marzia Soavi, Giorgio Volpe
PhD and Master students: Delia Belleri, Carlotta Capuccino, Filippo Ferrari, Antonio Ferro, Alessia Marabini, Andrea Marino, Sara Neva, Eugenio Orlandelli, Michele Palmira, Alessia Pasquali, Andrea Piatesi, Iryna Sivertsava.
External researchers: Tito Magri.
 
Title of the project: Is there immediate justification?
 
Scientific aim of the project
The project in Epistemology will focus on the notion of immediate justification. It will consider

1.  the nature of immediate justifications, and
2. their bearing on different areas of epistemology, such as,

• the justification of our specific beliefs about physical objects in our surroundings;
• the justification of our belief in the existence of an external world;
• the justification of our beliefs based on testimony;
• the justification of our beliefs about our own mental states.

Clearly the project lies at the intersection between philosophy of mind and epistemology and will explore the relevance of the notion of immediate justification for both these domains.
 
Methodology
In the second semester of the academic year 2008-2009, the Epistemology group will hold a reading group until end of May. In between the end of May and end of June, it will host research papers by both members of the group and invited speakers
After the summer break, it will resume for the SIFA graduate conference.
The group will be on recess for the first semester of the academic year 2009-2010.
 
Expected results
Research: the project will lead to individual and joint publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
Educational:

• the project will give Master and PhD students a chance to study some of the main themes in current epistemology and to familiarise themselves with discussion in this area of philosophy;
• it will lead to PhD theses for those students primarily enrolled within this project.

 
Internationalization
We aim to create collaborations with similarly oriented research groups mostly based in Europe.