Peter Boghossian: How to Have Impossible Conversations

On February 15th, 2023, the University of Central Florida welcomed Peter Boghossian for a thought-provoking event based on his book, "How to Have Impossible Conversations". This event was made possible through AHA Foundation's Critical Thinking Fellowship, which helps student leaders on college campuses across the USA host impartial debates and events designed to engage their fellow students in open-minded inquiry about cultural, religious and policy issues.
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Boghossian, a renowned philosopher and author, kicked off the event with a brief speech on the importance of open dialogue in today's polarized society. Boghossian emphasized the need to engage in conversations with people who hold opposing views, instead of retreating into echo chambers that reinforce our own beliefs. He shared his practical tips on how to navigate difficult conversations without getting defensive or resorting to ad hominem attacks.
After the speech, the event turned interactive as the audience participated in a dialogue-fostering exercise, where they practiced the techniques Boghossian had outlined. Attendees gained valuable insights on how to approach challenging conversations with empathy and respect, even when facing disagreement.
"How to have Impossible Conversations" offered a practical guide for individuals seeking to improve their communication skills and foster meaningful dialogues across ideological divides.
More from Peter Boghossian: linktr.ee/pete...
More about AHA Foundation's Critical Thinking Fellowship: www.theahafoun...

[@Tawny593]

Another excellent video from Peter.

[@theAHAfoundation]

Glad you enjoyed it, Peter is the best!

[@fifidownunda]

This was such a great exercise! Love your work Peter - it gives me hope for the future 👏

[@theAHAfoundation]

Thanks for your support, Fiona. We love working with Peter, and his events are always so enlightening! We should have another event video next week so make sure to subscribe so you don't miss it.

[@pbziegler]

When I was a therapist and a teacher of therapists I had a kind of short cut slightly humorous test that would tell me/ my studeents I was being effective on my side of the conversation. If I was reflecting my understanding of what the person was telling me I wanted to hear "exactly." And when I asked a question I wanted to hear "I don't know" or "Wow, that's a good question." Both of those initial resposes indicated that the question required the person to think outside their familiar "story." They would have to come up with something that "they never thought about before."

[@jamesthecat]

That's a great acid test!

[@adammorrello]

Awesome work, everyone involved did very well. This way of speaking is the future, I hope more people adopt this way of communication!

[@theAHAfoundation]

Thanks for your support Adam! Make sure to like and subscribe to see more Peter content in the future.

[@edvardm4348]

Peter is a treasure, to put it lightly

[@davidbrinnen]

The lady that introduced this has a very pleasant voice, I hope she overcomes her nervousness at speaking. Not that I can talk, I would not dare speak in front of an audience. I expect TH-cams brought me here to see Peter, since I have watched many of his videos already and seemingly can't get enough for some reason. Mostly I am providing this comment for the algorithm, so please don't see my comment as being overly critical.

[@theAHAfoundation]

Thanks for the support David!

[@jamesthecat]

I felt she did overcome it, the words were all clear and concise, and it was a great introduction. I was much older and still 'umming & arring' and blushing hard, unfortunately, which seems ridiculously self-conscious now. People just want to hear what you have to say, as easily and efficiently as possible, and that's what happened here.

[@LP-dc7fh]

Love this approach. What might be a way to engage with a person that falls back on a policy line whenever you try to discuss a controversial topic? I find the robotic nature of such a person’s response very difficult to empathize with. How can I reframe my perspective and/or try to break through to them?

[@chubbuck35]

I was worried at first about the last guy moderating but he ended up doing a fantastic job.

[@AugustoXRock]

Wow, that muslim guy is astonishingly sharp, he did a great job mediating and synthesizing the ideas being espoused there. It was a pleasure to listen to.

[@stevenoverlord]

I was in the first round of the game. Me and Peter we very impressed by him too

[@Nick-zb4yg]

He's read Aristotle :)

[@Traderbear]

Great program. When you ask SJWs questions their mind start spinning and then reset to the party talking points.

[@merrick8000]

Is it a moral claim to attempt to compare different sets of morals and set an order between them?

[@stevenoverlord]

I was in the first round. All 3 of us were redpilled AF 😂

[@drumstruck751]

Equity: disabled people have a hard time finding a job so they should stay stable. You guys take it to the point where we lower standards as a whole for the sake of one person. yet i fully disagree for the opposite reason i believe in unequal equity. if i am being held to the same standards as a disabled man i should be fired. that's not equity among the group. If i set a standard and fail the standard i set for their monetary equity they gave me i should be held accountable.