Peter Boghossian is an American philosopher and an assistant professor of philosophy at Portland State University. WebsitePeter BoghossianWikipediaPeter BoghossianX (Twitter)@peterboghossianYouTubePeter BoghossianGooglePeter BoghossianPosts: Peter Boghossian (1)Impossible Conversations Navigating conversations across ideological dividesBooks: Peter Boghossian (7)How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay (2019)Impossible Conversations Peter Boghossian (2019)Impossible Conversations Navigating Continue reading Peter Boghossian American philosopher
New Discourses convened in October of 2019 in the National Liberal Club of London for a day-long conference titled Speaking Truth to Social Justice. There, Portland State University philosophy professor Peter Boghossian gave a talk about the need to “speak truth in the face of danger,” parrhesia, as the Ancient Greeks called it, as this Continue reading The Way Forward Peter Boghossian (2019)
How can we begin to resolve our problems, if even our conversations about them keep breaking down? video playerImpossible Conversations | Peter Boghossian The larger point is that what we need to do is we need to speak openly and honestly about things and if we don’t those problems – the earth doesn’t give a Continue reading Impossible Conversations Peter Boghossian (2019)
In our current political climate, it seems impossible to have a civil conversation with someone who has a different opinion. Dialogue is shut down when perspectives clash. Heated debates on Facebook and Twitter often lead to shaming, hindering any possibility of productive discourse. In this book, How to Have Impossible Conversations, Peter Boghossian and James Continue reading How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay (2019)
This talk by Peter Boghossian at The Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation explores the applicability and significance of the Socratic method in fostering critical thinking and advancing civilization. Peter begins by highlighting his interest in finding simple, conceptual “bales of hay” to clean up cognitive processes, inspired by a childhood lesson from his father on Continue reading The Socratic Method in the Western Tradition Peter Boghossian (2023)
Few things are more dangerous than people who think they’re in possession of absolute truth. | Peter Boghossian Continue reading Perils of Absolute Certainty Peter Boghossian
Conversational Leadership emphasizes the importance of intellectual humility and open-mindedness in discussions. Polarization and confirmation bias can stifle productive conversations on complex issues. By asking, “How could we be wrong?” we foster self-reflection, critical thinking, and openness to alternative viewpoints, driving more meaningful dialogue. Continue reading How Could We Be Wrong? Is a crucial question to ask in a conversation
We must recognize that the pursuit of truth and the application of rigorous critical thinking are not merely intellectual exercises, but also moral and civic responsibilities. Engaging in open dialogue and thoughtful conversations is crucial in this process, as it allows us to challenge assumptions, refine our understanding, and collectively work toward more informed and ethical decisions. Continue reading Conclusion: Two Pillars of Truth Critical thinking – a civic duty
Speed-conversation Spectrum Street Epistemology Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close We all hold deeply rooted personal beliefs, many of which we have never questioned. Street Epistemology is a conversational technique based on the Socratic method, designed to Continue reading Street Epistemology Exploring deeply held beliefs
Street Epistemology Reverse Brainstorming Café Close Pop-up all posts in this chapter What’s the Vibe? Please be patient as this may take up to a minute to load… Close Spectrum Street Epistemology is a variation of Street Epistemology that encourages people to explore their beliefs along a spectrum rather than as fixed positions. Instead of Continue reading Spectrum Street Epistemology
An impossible conversation may feel futile as it occurs between individuals who possess radically different ideas, beliefs, morals, politics, or worldviews. Such conversations are likely to lead to arguments and even physical altercations. So, how can we engage in impossible conversations? Continue reading Impossible Conversations Navigating conversations across ideological divides
