Street Epistemology

Joseph Reagle

What is it? (Magnabosco 2021)

collaborative and respectful exploration of reasoning

Socratic method

(Socrates’ method was alleged to inspire treason.)

Street Epistemology method

  • What is our belief’s origins?
  • What is our confidence in our belief?
  • What would it take to change our belief/confidence?
  • Would we accept a similar belief from a foreign ideology?
  • Beyond (or contrary) to truth, what role might our belief serve?

Raena on extraterrestrials

true beliefs are very important; she’s very confident (RaenaSolomon 2022)

https://strawpoll.com/se-important

Let’s try it ourselves

  1. We brainstorm 4 claims about which there is disagreement.
    • e.g., “1. Global warming is not caused by humans.”
  2. Pick a number between 1..4.
  3. I randomly renumber the statements.
  4. For your chosen number, do you agree with the statement?

https://strawpoll.com/se-confident

Can you speak to your belief?

  • What is your belief’s origins?
  • What is your confidence in your belief?
  • What would it take to change your belief/confidence?
  • Beyond (or contrary) to truth, what role might your belief serve?

(More with Raena)

Evidence for belief?

Raena has her experiences and feelings.

But, can we collectively find what is true and real?

Is there an objective truth?

There’s evidence, but it’s internal, … so it might not be objectively true. Raena is willing to reconsider.

But, does a belief we can’t communicate have utility?

Role of belief?

If a belief that can’t be shown to be incorrect, how do really know and share that it’s true?

For Raena, it helps her feel unity with others.

Thoughts?

  • I like this because
    • it’s a thoughtful/constructive alternative to arguing;
    • my beliefs should be open to (re)consideration;
    • I should be willing to change my mind.
  • Do you think
    • this was interesting, boring, offensive? Why?
    • Raena would still rate the strength of her belief and confidence as 7s?
    • there are other beliefs that encourage unity that people can actually share? Should we use those instead?