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  • Kindly Inquisitors

  • The New Attacks on Free Thought, Expanded Edition
  • By: Jonathan Rauch
  • Narrated by: Penn Jillette
  • Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (27 ratings)

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Kindly Inquisitors

By: Jonathan Rauch
Narrated by: Penn Jillette
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Publisher's Summary

"A liberal society stands on the proposition that we should all take seriously the idea that we might be wrong. This means we must place no one, including ourselves, beyond the reach of criticism; it means that we must allow people to err, even where the error offends and upsets, as it often will." So writes Jonathan Rauch in Kindly Inquisitors, which has challenged listeners for more than 20 years with its bracing and provocative exploration of the issues surrounding attempts to limit free speech. In it, Rauch makes a persuasive argument for the value of "liberal science" and the idea that conflicting views produce knowledge within society.

In this expanded edition of Kindly Inquisitors, a new foreword by George F. Will strikingly shows the book's continued relevance, while a substantial new afterword by Rauch elaborates upon his original argument and brings it fully up to date. Two decades after the book's initial publication, while some progress has been made, the regulation of hate speech has grown domestically - especially in American universities - and has spread even more internationally, where there is no First Amendment to serve as a meaningful check. But the answer to bias and prejudice, Rauch argues, is pluralism - not purism. Rather than attempting to legislate bias and prejudice out of existence or to drive them underground, we must pit them against one another to foster a more vigorous and fruitful discussion. It is this process that has been responsible for the growing acceptance of the moral acceptability of homosexuality over the last 20 years. And it is this process, Rauch argues, that will enable us as a society to replace hate with knowledge, both ethical and empirical.

©2013 Jonathan Rauch (P)2013 Cato Institute

What listeners say about Kindly Inquisitors

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Brilliant book! Easy to follow and nicely argued!

This book makes a comprehensive argument for the liberal world order and free speech.

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relevant and engaging

tough subject in our time of increasingly polarising public statements. such a breath of fresh air though to have a look back at just how far we have matured. just need all of us to play the 'science game' so we can continue to move to a reasoned and thoughtful future.

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fast talking but awesome

excellent book.
I found playing this at 0.85 speed made it sound at normal speed to me and I was able to listen more comfortably.

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A must listen!

Relevant in today's political and social climate.

A must listen for all, hard to believe it was written over 20 years ago.

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