The transformation of the New York University philosophy department from a program lacking a doctoral track into a top-ranked institution in the United States was overseen by Paul Artin Boghossian. Serving as department chair from 1994 to 2004, he implemented an intensive hiring strategy that established the university as a global leader in analytic philosophy.
Academic Background
Born in Haifa in 1957 to survivors of the Armenian genocide, Boghossian moved to Canada at age 15. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree in physics at Trent University in 1978. Transitioning to philosophy, he earned his doctorate from Princeton University in 1987. His early teaching career included roles at the University of Michigan between 1984 and 1992, as well as a visiting position at Princeton.
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Boghossian is a prominent critic of epistemic relativism. In his 2006 book, Fear of Knowledge: Against Relativism and Constructivism, he challenged the doctrine of Equal Validity—the idea that multiple, mutually exclusive ways of knowing the world are equally legitimate. He argued that such positions are self-defeating, as they require non-relativistic standards to be formulated. The work received a Choice Award for outstanding academic books.
Analyticity and the Philosophy of Mind
In his work on the analytic–synthetic distinction, Boghossian differentiated between metaphysical and epistemic analyticity. While acknowledging the limitations of the former following critique by Quine, he argued that the latter remains vital for justifying a priori knowledge. In the philosophy of mind, he developed the 'slow switching' argument, which contends that content externalism is incompatible with privileged self-knowledge. He posits that if thought content depends on external factors, individuals cannot rely solely on introspection to determine the content of their own minds.
Recent Institutional Roles
Boghossian serves as the Silver Professor of Philosophy at New York University and directs the New York Institute of Philosophy. Additionally, he holds the position of Distinguished Research Professor of Philosophy at the University of Birmingham. In 2012, he was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. During 2025 and 2026, he chaired a commission for Vanderbilt University and Washington University tasked with evaluating the state of the academic humanities.
Fast facts
- Born: 1957, Haifa
- Citizenship: United States; Armenia
- Doctorate: Princeton University, 1987
- Undergraduate Degree: Trent University, 1978
- Primary Field: Analytic philosophy
- Current Primary Employer: New York University
- Notable Recognition: Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Questions readers ask
What is the slow switching argument?
It is an argument in the philosophy of mind suggesting that environmental shifts can change the content of an individual's thoughts without the person being introspectively aware of the change, thereby challenging the idea of authoritative self-knowledge.
What did Boghossian's 2025 commission report conclude about the humanities?
The report identified a deterioration in scholarly standards caused by the replacement of research-based criteria with political ones, noting a rejection of traditional ideals of objectivity.
Achievements
- Held posts at New York University and University of Michigan
