How do you know that your beliefs are true? What process do you use to find truth? How can we work to discard false beliefs? These are questions at the heart of a conversational method called Street Epistemology. This technique of respectful Socratic questioning has been recognized as a useful tool for engaging with beliefs of all types. Religious positions, anti-vaccine activism, Flat-Earth claims, GMO skepticism, climate change denial, political extremism and more can all be challenged in a non-combative and effective manner. Anthony Magnabosco joins the Humanists of Linn County to present on his experiences in practicing Street Epistemology.

Anthony is a Humanist, skeptic, and agnostic atheist who lives in San Antonio, Texas with his wife and two teenage children. He has been working to have more respectful and productive conversations with people regardless of their stance on any claim for more than six years, often filming the results and sharing on his YouTube channel, which has nearly 30,000 subscribers. Anthony has given dozens of talks and workshops on the subject to a variety of groups, clubs, conferences, and events across the United States and internationally, and is widely considered to be one of most experienced practitioners of Street Epistemology in the world today. In addition, Anthony has appeared on The David Pakman Show, The Thinking Atheist podcast, The Atheist Experience, and Bart Campolo’s Humanize Me podcast. Anthony is active and accessible on social media, where he works hard to encourage others who are interested in having more productive chats with the people we may disagree with.

10:00am to 11:30am will be a presentation and Q&A session. We will then take a short break with a free lunch provided and return for a workshop to practice the techniques of Street Epistemology in the afternoon. This event would be best suited for those aged 13 and older. A separate quiet room will be available where parents can attend to younger children if needed. Childcare will NOT be provided. The entire event is free, but a donation of $5 per person is suggested.