Kindly Inquisitors

The New Attacks on Free Thought, Expanded Edition

By: Jonathan Rauch

Narrated by: Penn Jillette

"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

Required Reading for Life in 2023 and Beyond

The most cogent articulation of the perils of cancel culture I have ever seen. All the more impressive for having been written 25 years before the term, ‘cancel culture’, was coined. Many thanks to Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay for shining a light on this intellectual gem. They did so in their own impressive dissection of today’s intellectual climate, ‘Cynical Theories’. Anyone interested in a better understanding of how we reached our current cultural and intellectual climate should absolutely read their work. South Park season 6, episode 14, The Death Camp of Tolerance is also a nice refresher- from some of the only artists still brave enough to regularly expose American culture’s … shortcomings.

Best book I've read in 20 years.

This book might as well have been first published this year given how relevant this subject matter is. Mr. Rauch tackles multiple facets of society in a well-argued case for freedom of speech and thought, even for those of us who are sensitive to injustice and affliction. His explanation and definition of diverse discourse ("liberal science") describes a key ethic of discerning objective truth, one that our societies in the West are built on and needs to be practiced and defended.

Essential Reading

This book is essential reading for those who consider themselves free thinkers, and we should encourage the next generation to hold it as dearly as we do

Outstanding

This book makes the case for unencumbered freedom of speech in a unique and compelling way. I had never before heard the term “liberal science”, which is the core principle underlying this work. It’s a brilliant idea, and the author forcefully and effortlessly brings it to life.

Penn Jillette‘s reading is... well hey, it’s Penn! I really like his delivery. He brings passion and commitment to every word he speaks. Sometimes his reading is a little too fast, but I can easily forgive that. He moves the text along and makes the book enjoyable and dynamic.

There are a few spots where his tone of voice changes dramatically. I can’t tell if it’s because those sections were recorded later, or if perhaps they are footnotes he is reading in an intentionally subdued voice. In either case, I merely note them as anomalies; cosmetic blemishes on a beautiful work.

I recommend this book whole heartedly. I’m inclined to buy a bunch of copies and hand them out to all my friends.

thoughtful and intriguing

so I am probably considered a conservative and a liberal, if you can keep an open mind this author has some incredible insights on the world today, being open-minded, caring, and understanding how we can live together with different opinions. I got a tremendous amount of respect from this book.

Reasoned and principled approach to epistemology

My new favorite book! Great defense of liberal ideals and the process of determining facts and truth. I recommend this without reservation.

Penn's narration is pretty good, but changes in volume and pitch for random sections is at times distracting but isn't too much to get in the way of listening.

Absolutely stunning

An absolute read for anyone. Few books convey the passion the author, and to some degree the reader, have for the future of knowledge and truth. I'll be recommending this book for a long time, and to as many people as I can. Superb.

One of My Top 3 Books - Ever

A must read for everyone who thinks maybe 'free speech' is a buzzword and limits are needed, or even for people that appreciate the principle of it but don't have it in the forefront of their minds when reading the news lately.

I love Penn Jillette and his voice is great. The producer deserves a kick for not noticing the changes in his voice where they obviously did re-recordings. However, this is a great book to take advantage of Audible's cross-purchase discount with Kindle if available. You'll find dozens of passages worth highlighting.

Empathic defense of free expression

Jonathan Rauch may be wicked smart but his defense of free expression is anything but wicked. He’s not motivated to protect -ists, -ites, or -obes. Rauch explains why caring humanists SHOULD enthusiastically support free expression on moral and pragmatic grounds. It’s not just about why we MUST tolerate it from a cold American legal or contractual perspective. The sad story of gay rights activist Frank Kameny has a happy ending and should serve as an enduring parable about the value of free expression culture. Frank convinced people not to be homophobic bigots, and he never could have done that by silencing them under threat of punishment. Coercion can’t change minds. Rauch gets us beyond grudging compliance with the First Amendment. Read and listen to this best of books.

An excellent testament to the virtue of free speech!

This book as an exceptionally balanced take on freedom of speech and it’s importance in human liberty. All university students should read this book!