Street Epistemology Resources

Listen to the Street Epistemology Podcast

Dive into the world of Street Epistemology with this SEI-managed podcast. Whether you're interested in thought-provoking dialogues, hands-on workshops, in-depth reviews, or engaging interviews, there’s something for everyone.

Discover new perspectives, sharpen your critical thinking skills, and stay connected with the SE community—all from your favorite podcasting platform.

Learn Street Epistemology with this FREE Course Developed by SE Experts

Take your first steps into the world of Street Epistemology with Navigating Beliefs, a free online course designed to teach you the principles and techniques of SE.

Whether you’re new to SE or looking to deepen your understanding, this course offers engaging lessons, practical examples, and interactive exercises to help you master the art of reflective conversations. Start today and see how SE can transform the way you explore beliefs.

How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion

by David McRaney

A brain-bending investigation of why some people never change their minds—and others do in an instant—by the bestselling author of You Are Not So Smart.

What made a prominent conspiracy-theorist YouTuber finally see that 9/11 was not a hoax? How do voter opinions shift from neutral to resolute? Can widespread social change only take place when a generation dies out? From one of our greatest thinkers on reasoning, How Minds Change is a book about the science, and the experience, of transformation. Chapter 6 is all about Street Epistemology.

Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind-Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think

by Andy Norman

Why do people reject science and believe online conspiracy theories? How are people radicalized online and go on to commit acts of violence? Why is our society so politically polarized?

Astonishingly irrational ideas are spreading. Covid denial persists in the face of overwhelming evidence. Anti-vaxxers compromise public health. Conspiracy thinking hijacks minds and incites mob violence. Toxic partisanship is cleaving nations, And climate denial has pushed our planet to the brink. Meanwhile, American Nazis march openly in the streets, and Flat Earth theory is back. What the heck is going on? Why is all this happening, and why now? More important, what can we do about it?

How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide

by Peter Boghossian & James Lindsay

From politics and religion to workplace negotiations, ace the high-stakes conversations in your life with this indispensable guide from a persuasion expert.

In our current political climate, it seems impossible to have a reasonable conversation with anyone who has a different opinion. Whether you're online, in a classroom, an office, a town hall--or just hoping to get through a family dinner with a stubborn relative--dialogue shuts down when perspectives clash. Heated debates often lead to insults and shaming, blocking any possibility of productive discourse. Everyone seems to be on a hair trigger.

A Manual for Creating Atheists

by Peter Boghossian

For thousands of years, the faithful have perfected strategies to proselytize and persuade others to accept the truth of their holy books. Many view spreading their beliefs as a sacred duty, often learning these methods from an early age. The result is a world profoundly influenced by unquestioned faith.

As a much-needed counter to religious evangelism, A Manual for Creating Atheists provides the first-ever guide not to convert people into faith—but to guide them out of it. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as a philosopher and educator, Peter Boghossian offers tools and techniques for engaging the faithful in meaningful conversations. These methods encourage valuing reason and rationality, questioning religious beliefs, and embracing skepticism over superstition. Ultimately, this book empowers readers to help others abandon irrationality and embrace a more thoughtful approach to life.

The Outsider Test for Faith: How to Know Which Religion Is True

by John W. Loftus

How can any one religion claim to hold the ultimate truth when thousands of belief systems exist worldwide? In The Outsider Test for Faith, former minister turned atheist John W. Loftus challenges readers to evaluate their own religious beliefs with the same skepticism they apply to others. He proposes a simple yet transformative approach: “Do unto your own faith what you do to other faiths.”

Loftus explores insights from psychology, anthropology, sociology, and neuroscience to explain the cultural and evolutionary origins of religion. By understanding why belief systems arise and differ, he argues, we can escape the delusion that any one religion represents absolute truth. His “outsider test” encourages informed skepticism, fostering mutual understanding and promoting rational thinking in evaluating faith.

At a time when humanity’s vast diversity of beliefs is more accessible than ever, The Outsider Test for Faith offers a compelling framework for examining religion and building bridges of understanding across faiths.

Tim and the Giant Teapot

by Sasha Zouev (Author), Anastasia Zababashkina (Illustrator)

Embark on an extraordinary adventure with Tim and Kate as they set out to fix Kate's beloved toy bear. Along the way, themes of belief, skepticism, and humanism come to life through a beautifully illustrated journey.

As they search for a mystical teapot in the sky, Tim and Kate meet fascinating characters and engage in thought-provoking conversations about faith, belief, skepticism, atheism, and humanism. The story introduces readers to the Socratic method of questioning (or "street epistemology") through rich dialogue and stunning full-color illustrations.

This captivating tale of critical thinking isn’t just for young skeptics—it resonates with freethinkers of all ages. Children will love the whimsical rhyming narration, while adults will appreciate the deeper philosophical insights and hidden easter eggs. The book inspires readers to reflect on why they believe what they believe—and whether those beliefs are justified.

Celebrating the beauty of diverse perspectives, the power of friendship, and the joy of independent thinking, Tim and the Giant Teapot is a timeless story that offers an unforgettable experience for everyone.

The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't

by Julia Galef (Author, Narrator), Penguin Audio (Publisher)

A powerful guide to overcoming biases and making smarter decisions, from rationality expert Julia Galef.

Humans often see what they want to see, driven by a "soldier" mindset that defends beliefs and dismisses opposing ideas. Galef argues for adopting the "scout" mindset instead—an approach rooted in curiosity, accuracy, and a commitment to understanding what’s true, no matter the outcome.

Through fascinating examples—from surviving extreme scenarios to Jeff Bezos’s strategies for avoiding overconfidence—Galef explains how emotional habits and practical techniques can help anyone think more clearly and make better decisions. With insights into cognitive biases, modern politics, and more, The Scout Mindset is a must-read for those seeking to see the world as it truly is.