2013
Peter Boghossian coins the term "Street Epistemology" in his book A Manual for Creating Atheists. Initially focused on Socratic dialogues about religious beliefs, this marked the beginning of what would grow into a broader movement.
Our Story: Street Epistemology International
From sidewalk conversations to a global nonprofit championing rational discourse—see how our journey began in 2019 and where it’s headed next.
Our Story
Street Epistemology International (SEI) was formed in 2019 to help promote and develop Street Epistemology as a conversational approach that encourages critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning. From its humble beginnings as a grassroots movement to its current status as a nonprofit organization with global reach, SEI has remained committed to improving the way people engage in conversations about deeply held beliefs.
2013-2019
Early practitioners, including Anthony Magnabosco, Reid Nicewonder, and many others, begin recording Street Epistemology conversations and sharing them online. The scope broadens beyond religion to include various topics like politics, paranormal beliefs, and other deeply held convictions. SE communities start to form online.
Autumn 2019
Street Epistemology International is officially founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to promote Street Epistemology worldwide. The organization launches its first fundraiser, raising $3,249 to establish the fledgling organization.
October 2019
SEI tables at Politicon in Nashville, Tennessee, introducing Street Epistemology to people interested in politics. Hundreds of attendees learn about SE, with dozens participating in recorded conversations, marking SEI's first major outreach event.
February 2020
SEI launches a funding request process, allowing practitioners to apply for financial support for SE-related projects. The organization also sends representatives to table at CPAC, bringing Street Epistemology to a conservative audience.
October 2020
SEI begins developing a comprehensive self-directed course on Street Epistemology, creating a Project Charter and assembling an international team of volunteers to build educational materials. This marks the beginning of a multi-year effort to create standardized training resources.
2021-2022
SEI expands its reach by supporting content creators, developing educational materials, and forming committees for content creators and club organizers. The organization begins to explore business applications of Street Epistemology and potential scientific research into its effectiveness.
October 2022
Anthony Magnabosco presents Street Epistemology at a business conference in Athens, Greece, introducing SE to international business professionals and Stoicism practitioners, expanding SE's reach beyond its traditional audiences.
November 2023
SEI releases Phase I of Navigating Beliefs: A Learning Course for Rational Conversations, a free self-directed course teaching Street Epistemology. The first six modules become available online after years of development and testing.
January-May 2024
SEI begins translating the Navigating Beliefs course into multiple languages, with Spanish, Dutch, and Arabic versions in development. The organization also starts work on a scientific study to test the effectiveness of Street Epistemology.
2025 and Beyond
SEI continues to expand its global reach through course translations, paid training programs, and new digital initiatives. The organization focuses on securing grant funding, developing Phase II of the Navigating Beliefs course, and fostering a diverse and inclusive SE community worldwide.
Our Leadership
Street Epistemology International is led by a diverse board of directors from around the world, united by their commitment to promoting thoughtful, evidence-based conversations. Our board members have come from various countries including the United States, Finland, Russia, Canada, Germany, and South Africa, bringing a wealth of experience in education, business, communication, and community building.
Our Impact
Since our founding, Street Epistemology International has:
- Developed Navigating Beliefs, a comprehensive free course on Street Epistemology available in multiple languages
- Provided funding and equipment to SE content creators around the world
- Organized workshops, talks, and educational events for diverse audiences
- Created committees to support content creators and community organizers
- Initiated scientific research on the effectiveness of Street Epistemology
- Built an international community committed to improving discourse
- Expanded SE's application beyond its original focus to include business, healthcare, education, and other sectors
Our Mission
Street Epistemology International is committed to addressing dysfunction in public and private discourse by encouraging rationality through civil conversation and providing people around the world with the resources needed to develop, practice, and promote Street Epistemology.
Join Us
There are many ways to get involved with Street Epistemology International:
- Take our free Navigating Beliefs course to learn the basics of SE
- Volunteer for committees, content review, or translation projects
- Donate to support our educational materials and outreach
- Join a local SE club or practice group
- Create and share SE content on social media
- Attend our community town halls and ask-me-anything sessions
Together, we can improve the quality of conversations worldwide—one dialogue at a time.
Our story: a global nonprofit devoted to developing, practicing, and promoting Street Epistemology worldwide.
Our story continues with a free learning course shaped by SEI’s mission
Follow the next chapter of our journey. The Navigating Beliefs course turns our commitment to critical thinking and rational dialogue into practical skills you can use to spark meaningful conversations worldwide.
GO TO COURSE ➔
