Franz Buggle was born in 1933 in Freiburg. After graduating from a classical grammar school in 1953 he studied psychology, philosophy, education, and economics at the universities of Freiburg i. Br. and Munich. In 1958, he completed his diploma examination in psychology. From 1958 to 1963, he worked as a research assistant, afterwards as administrator of a scientific assistant position at the Psychological Institute of the University of Freiburg i. Br.

He received his doctorate in psychology, philosophy, and psychopathology in 1963. From 1963-1969, he worked as a research assistant and from 1969 as a lecturer at the Psychological Institute of the University of Hamburg. From 1970 to 1974 he was professor of developmental and social psychology at the University of Regensburg before becoming professor of clinical and developmental psychology at the University of Freiburg i. Br in 1974.

With his book "Denn sie wissen nicht, was sie glauben" ("For they know not what they believe"), Buggle created a classic of modern criticism of religion. After his death in January 2011 gbs published the eulogy "A Fearless Enlightener".

Publications (selection):

• Denn sie wissen nicht, was sie glauben. Oder warum man redlicherweise nicht mehr Christ sein kann. Eine Streitschrift, 2012 (new edition)
• Die Entwicklungspsychologie Jean Piagets, 2001
• Animismus als alternative Weise des Welterlebens : theoret. Überlegungen u. empir. Forschungsergebnisse / Franz Buggle ; Hilde Westermann-Duttlinger, 1987
• Hamburger Neurotizismus- und Extraversionsskala für Kinder und Jugendliche : HANES, KJ ; Handanweisung für d. Durchführung u. Auswertung / Franz Buggle u. Frank Baumgärtel. 2nd, updated edition, 1975.
• Psychologie : Gegenstand, Methodik, soziale Rahmenbedingung / Franz Buggle, 1974.
• Heutige deutsche Universitätsstudenten : eine empirische Untersuchung weltanschaulicher Einstellungen, 1965.