EPISODE · Dec 29, 2025 · 11 MIN
1653 || it's not a debate
from Make Your Damn Bed
Today is the finale of our series on street epistemology, and we're digging into what NOT to do. Wonder: The big question.Hypothesis: The interlocutor's proposed answer to the question.Elenchus: Question and answer to discover what other reasonable propositions are likely to be true that refute the hypothesis. Proceed by mutual agreement at every step - elenchus is not a debate.Accept or Revise: Refine or revise the hypothesis - either without vulnerability to that elenchus, with reduced confidence, or even rejecting it. On the other hand, if the hypothesis survives repeated attempts at elenchus, provisionally accept it.Act accordingly: Reduce confidence in and reliance on the hypothesis that is refuted by elenchus.Read about the brain in a vat argument.Read about The Teapot Analogy. Read: On the reception and detection of pseudo-profound bullshitRead Perth Skeptics collection of street epistemology resources.Read Berkeley's "Bridging Differences Playbook" Visit the Street Epistemology Website.Read the Wikipedia on Street Epistemology.SUPPORT JULIE (and the show!)DONATE to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund AND THE Sudan Relief FundGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBESUBSCRIBE FOR BONUS CONTENT ON PATREON.The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. ISupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What this episode covers
Today is the finale of our series on street epistemology, and we're digging into what NOT to do. Wonder: The big question.Hypothesis: The interlocutor's proposed answer to the question.Elenchus: Question and answer to discover what other reasonable propositions are likely to be true that refute the hypothesis. Proceed by mutual agreement at every step - elenchus is not a debate.Accept or Revise: Refine or revise the hypothesis - either without vulnerability to that elenchus, with reduced confidence, or even rejecting it. On the other hand, if the hypothesis survives repeated attempts at elenchus, provisionally accept it.Act accordingly: Reduce confidence in and reliance on the hypothesis that is refuted by elenchus.Read about the brain in a vat argument.Read about The Teapot Analogy. Read: On the reception and detection of pseudo-profound bullshitRead Perth Skeptics collection of street epistemology resources.Read Berkeley's "Bridging Differences Playbook" Visit the Street Epistemology Website.Read the Wikipedia on Street Epistemology.SUPPORT JULIE (and the show!)DONATE to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund AND THE Sudan Relief FundGET AN OCCASIONAL PERSONAL EMAIL FROM ME: www.makeyourdamnbedpodcast.comTUNE IN ON INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBESUBSCRIBE FOR BONUS CONTENT ON PATREON.The opinions expressed by Julie Merica and Make Your Damn Bed Podcast are intended for entertainment purposes only. Make Your Damn Bed podcast is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. ISupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/make-your-damn-bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1653 || it's not a debate
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