Ramsay Lectures
The Socratic Method in the Western Tradition
An exclusive lecture by Peter Boghossian
Peter Boghossian
How do we have “impossible conversations”? What is the basis of belief? How do we disagree fruitfully across philosophical, ideological, and religious divides?
In an age of mass education, social media, and polarisation, it is more important than ever to cultivate the art of conversation and debate. But where do we begin?
In order to unravel some of the complexities of modern discourse and suggest a way forward, the Ramsay Centre presents our third Ramsay Lecture for 2023, Dr Peter Boghossian on The Socratic Method in the Western Tradition.
The Socratic Method is a form of argumentative dialogue based on asking and answering questions to draw out ideas and underlying assumptions. In this lecture, Peter Boghossian outlines how he has devised a template using the Socratic Method as a core element in discourse. He speculates on the role of dialectical processes, critical thinking, corrective mechanisms to test beliefs and assumptions, and attitudinal dispositions and also explains the method of his conversational technique known as ‘street epistemology’ for promoting reflection.
Please join us for this compelling lecture with Peter Boghossian.
Peter Boghossian
Dr Peter Boghossian is a former Professor of Philosophy at Portland State University, and current Founding Faculty member at the University of Austin. He has a teaching pedigree spanning more than 25 years that focuses on the Socratic Method, scientific skepticism, and critical thinking.
Dr Boghossian travels globally promoting techniques for civil discourses, with his work centered on bringing the tools of professional philosophers to a wide variety of contexts to help people think through what seem to be intractable problems.
His most recent book is How to Have Impossible Conversations, and his writing can be found in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, Time Magazine, and the National Review. He is director of the National Progress Alliance, a US organisation with the stated aim to “promote free expression and civil discourse through grants, partnerships, and raising public awareness”.
The University of Austin is a new university announced in 2021, with a stated aim of being an institution “dedicated to the fearless pursuit of the truth”. It was soft launched in 2022 with the introduction of a summer program called “Forbidden Courses”.