Peter Boghossian
Peter Boghossian is an American philosopher and author known for his work in critical thinking, atheism, and education. He has been involved in various projects and controversies related to academic freedom and the critique of postmodernism.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. A Manual For Creating Atheists
The Ultimate Guide to Challenging Faith and Promoting Reason
This book serves as a guide for individuals seeking to engage in meaningful dialogues about faith and belief systems, particularly with those who hold religious convictions. It introduces the concept of "Street Epistemology," a method designed to encourage critical thinking and foster doubt in deeply held beliefs through respectful and thoughtful conversations. The text provides practical strategies and techniques for questioning the foundations of faith, aiming to promote a more rational and evidence-based worldview. It emphasizes the importance of empathy, patience, and understanding in these discussions, advocating for a compassionate approach to challenging religious dogma.
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2. How To Have Impossible Conversations
A Very Practical Guide
A practical guide to navigating high‑stakes disagreements by prioritizing curiosity, humility, and rapport over winning arguments. It offers step-by-step techniques—from establishing shared goals and asking calibrated questions to steelmanning, using scales, and exploring disconfirmation—that help people examine beliefs without defensiveness. Through examples and exercises, it shows how to de-escalate tension, avoid common pitfalls like moralizing or mind reading, and keep conversations collaborative. The aim is to foster clearer thinking, mutual understanding, and productive dialogue even across deep ideological divides.