Street Epistemology: It Works

Street Epistemology is a conversational tool that helps people reflect on the quality of their reasons and the reliability of their methods used to derive one's confidence level in their deeply-held beliefs. It is used by science-based-thinkers to promote, one-on-one, critical thinking and to encourage people to analyze the level of magical thinking they use. Needless to say, magical thinkers, especially theists, are defensive against the process. However, as the video below demonstrates, it can be very effective. It's important to watch the whole video to get its full impact.

Surmounting Faith

The Beginning Of The Road To Atheism Is Questioning

Street Epistemology is a novel way of encouraging the public to think about their belief system and to question anything they doubt. In a way, it is Critical Thinking 101 in a non-academic environment. From their web page:

While there are a variety of definitions for Street Epistemology (SE), here are a few that seem appropriate:

1. Street Epistemology is the application of epistemology (the study of knowledge) outside of formal academic contexts.

1. Street Epistemology is a fun and effective way to talk to people about what's really true.

1. Street Epistemology is a conversational tool that helps people reflect on the reliability of the methods used to arrive at their deeply-held beliefs.

1. Street Epistemology is the process of identifying, understanding, and challenging belief claims by asking questions.

Street Epistemology is dialectically-based, grounded in the Socratic method, and enhanced by recent evidence-based advances from a wide spectrum of disciplines, such as motivational interviewing, applied philosophy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Here is some wisdom in applying it.

This is a good example of the process in action. Be sure to read Anthony's thoughts in the narrative post-interview, as well as the comments :

Street Epistemology: Delia | Catholic Questions Atheism (Rock of Comfort)

How To Marginalize False Beliefs

Anyone who is a science-based thinker and attempts to dispell false beliefs held by others knows that the task is formidable at best. However, it is extremely important to try to do so because of the negative effects of false beliefs that are all around us. That said, I don't think that all false beliefs will be eradicated. I would be satisfied to have them all as marginalized as Flat Earth beliefs. Can you imagine religion, alternatives to medicine and all other beliefs unsupported by evidence being as marginalized?  What's that, you say that is "pie in the sky" thinking? Why? In these other cases, science has also falsified the claims?

Below are links that make suggestions on how to maximize our efforts to enlighten folks:

How to debunk false beliefs without having it backfire

The Key to Rational Argument: Reframe It as a Partnership

Street Epistemology 

The Cure for Christianity Library

(Pixabay)