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Kindly Inquisitors: The New Attacks on Free Thought, Expanded Edition Paperback – January 23, 2014

by Jonathan Rauch (Author, Afterword), George F. Will (Foreword)

4.8 152 ratings

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“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 readers for more than twenty 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 twenty years. And it is this process, Rauch argues, that will enable us as a society to replace hate with knowledge, both ethical and empirical.

“It is a melancholy fact that this elegant book, which is slender and sharp as a stiletto, is needed, now even more than two decades ago. Armed with it, readers can slice through the pernicious ideas that are producing the still-thickening thicket of rules, codes, and regulations restricting freedom of thought and expression.”―George F. Will, from the foreword

Print length

216 pages
Language

English
Publisher

University of Chicago Press
Publication date

January 23, 2014
Dimensions

8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
ISBN-10

022614593X
ISBN-13

978-0226145938
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Editorial Reviews

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Praise for the previous edition

“Fiercely argued. . . . What sets his study apart is his attempt to situate recent developments in a long-range historical perspective and to defend the system of free intellectual inquiry as a socially productive method of channeling prejudice.” ― Michiko Kakutani, New York Times

“Like no other, this book restates the core of our freedom and demonstrates how great, and disregarded, the peril to that freedom has become.” ― Chicago Tribune

“Stands out as a thoughtful, provocative defense of civil liberties and liberal inquiry. Jonathan Rauch’s unique perspective, derived from personal experience, lends to the poignancy of his thesis.” ― William F. Weld, former governor of Massachusetts

“To observe that American political and intellectual discourse has become polarized, intolerant of all but the most predictable ideological nostrums, censorial of anything deemed to be remotely ‘politically incorrect,’ and generally lacking in subtlety, a free spirit of inquiry, or honest quest for truth, has perhaps become trite. Twenty years ago it was less so, and it was then that Rauch wrote a book called Kindly Inquisitors. In retrospect, Rauch was extraordinarily prophetic in his assessment of the evolving state of free speech and thought. [This] newly updated version of Kindly Inquisitors provides an opportune moment to reflect on this extraordinarily deep and provocative essay, a true tour de force of logic, integrity and moral passion.” ― Forbes Published On: 2013-11-08

"A modern classic explaining the importance of free speech in society.” ― Greg Lukianoff, Huffington Post Published On: 2013-11-08

“An eloquent attack on the advocates of political correctness.”

― Economist

“It has been twenty years since the first edition of Kindly Inquisitors, yet conflicts persist. This book is worth a second look twenty years later. It will no doubt lead the reader to reflect upon the nature of social and political change within a technologically networked society.” ― ID: International Dialogue Published On: 2015-01-26

About the Author

Jonathan Rauch is a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, a contributing editor of the Atlantic and National Journal, and the author of six books, including Government’s End and Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Chicago Press; Enlarged edition (January 23, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 216 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 022614593X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0226145938
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #77,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #39 in General Constitutional Law
- #91 in Civil Rights & Liberties (Books)
- #141 in Censorship & Politics

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4.8 152 ratings

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Jonathan Rauch

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At about age 20, I realized that (1) I didn't have the talent to be a musician, and (2) I didn't have the concentration to specialize. Naturally, I became a journalist. My first managing editor, Joe Goodman, at the Winston-Salem Journal, used to say: "Everyone has a story to tell; your job is to find it." In my books, I tell stories about Japan, free inquiry, government sclerosis, gay marriage, sexual denial, political realism, and--most recently--why life gets better after 50. I've won the National Magazine Award and some other prizes and been called (wrongly) "doctor" and "professor." To me, though, the highest honorific is: journalist. For my official bio: www.jonathanrauch.com.

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akindsva@uvm.edu

Challenging and beautiful; the long game for those interested in social change

Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2016

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This magnificent piece of writing is a potential balm for campuses that seem to be divided along ideological lines, and is a must-read for students and professors interested in making the very most out of the potential of university educational experiences. The book is both compassionate and edgy, delving without apology into the humanitarian and egalitarian principles that support the seemingly humane circumscription of expression of thought on campus. The author then provides an unblinking and foreword-thinking observation of the end to which attempts to maintain the ideals of political correctness in the university lead: creed and culture wars. Throughout the book the author makes a convincing case for a strength-based and affirming solution that serious thinkers from across the ideological spectrum will be able to live with, and with practice and discipline, enact. This is a book about the long game of advocacy that students in a post-Orlando world need to read.

This is a book for our times, written by a gay man who is a gay rights activist, and who has lived to witness both intense oppression and inspiring social change. He clearly outlines a set of strength-based and ideologically neutral principles for advocacy and social change, while also providing a well-reasoned and straightforward description of the pitfalls into which those of us who care deeply about people may fall in misguided, and ultimately destructive, endeavors to promote sensitivity in the university. What Rauch has to say is challenging and beautiful.

For professors who are considering using this book (I am assigning it for my graduate-level human development class next fall) I suggest having students read the last chapter first, and I also suggest having students watch the utube interviews with Rauch early in the class (his gentleness and genuine care for others is more apparent in the last chapter and the interviews than it is in the initial chapters of the book, and knowing the author better may help cautious students to engage with some challenging material).

14 people found this helpful

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tcd

Written decades ago, relevant in 2023

Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2023

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Fantastic read and exploration into various frames of mind as it relates to free thought and speech. Highly recommended.

One person found this helpful

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Book Fanatic

Brilliant Argument for Free Speech and Free Thought

Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2018

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This is the best book I've ever read arguing for free speech. Rauch argues that suppressing offensive speech whether by government or private institutions actually harms the cause of who are offended. He uses himself as a gay man as an example of an oppressed minority that greatly benefited from the free speech during the time that homosexuality became morally acceptable to most Americans.

I love this book. It has a rigorous and unique argument. This book was written 25 years ago, but it is more relevant now than it was then. I am horrified by the current climate of the regulation of speech not by government but by private institutions such as universities, the media, and corporations. There are daily online mob attacks on those who have said something that someone considers offensive. In my mind it's out of control.

According to Rauch without free speech the path to truth is severely constrained. I heartily agree with this sentiment. I highly recommend this book.

27 people found this helpful

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lee

for those interested to being persuasive, this book is a must read

Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2020

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First published in the 90's, this book is so relevant in 2020. In a time where such a large percentage of people, when met with ideas opposed to their own, reduce themselves to abusive shouting, name calling, or attempts to silence those opposing views. "abusive shouting is a poor way to make converts" pg 141. The way to weed out and squash bad ideas, is NOT by attempting to silence those ideas. "No hypothesis has been laid to rest by suppressing it. The way to kill bad ideas is by exposing it and supplanting it with better ones." pg 161

One person found this helpful

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T. Hestwood

Free Speech Defended

Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2020

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Although not completely current, this is an excellent, well-written defense of free speech.

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Cristina

You Too Might Be A Fundamentalist

Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2015

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Jonathan Rauch's definition of fundamentalism is critically important for us all to consider: the unwillingness to consider that you might be wrong. Many people define fundamentalism as taking things too literally or being too fanatical. But fundamentalism is really about the cognitive closure that all humans are prone to when we think we have the right answer, right attitude, right idea. If you are not willing to consider you might be wrong--if you no longer hear anything of value on "the other side" or from ideas that contradict yours, you too are a fundamentalist.

This book does a great job of explaining how today's liberal ideologies violate true liberal principles. It's easy to point the finger at the most extreme religious fundamentalists, but sadly today's liberals are (generally) as fundamentalist as any religious sect. We need to be vigilant about our own tendencies and be vigilant of what passes for enlightenment within our own tribe.

7 people found this helpful

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Penny Thoughtful

Freedom of speech and WHY

Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2017

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This is the best book I have ever read on the topic of freedom of speech. Everyone should read this book. It explains why JUST being an oppressed minority is not enough reason to be considered CORRECT on its own, and why tolerance of offensive speech can actually promote the freedom of minorities. A lot of it is set in the 1990's when the "free speech zone" type controversies on college campuses were new, but it's just as relevant today and will explain why you feel torn between being nice and being right. The last part of the book updates everything and talks about how gay rights came to be accepted in a startlingly short period of time. Extremely valuable read!

2 people found this helpful

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W. Dunning

A commentary on the direction of our times

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2021

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Clearly written, showing examples of our new society, much less tolerant of thoughts and ideas not shared by the "woke."
And the continuing path in that same vein.
A valuable insight.

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George Selwyn

An antidote to the confusion of our times

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 3, 2022

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This is a must read for anyone concerned with the attack on Western, enlightened values and rationality in the academy and beyond. It exposes the totally wrong-headed madness of the world we currently live in (at least in the first-world, democratic, Anglophone West). A wise and considered piece of writing. It gives sustenance to knuckle down and stay the course.

2 people found this helpful

Lottie

Excellent book

Reviewed in Germany on September 9, 2021

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Very important book, and super wellwritten

J. Dean

A fascinating and well-documented look into the underlying historical philosophies ...

Reviewed in Canada on July 15, 2018

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A fascinating and well-documented look into the underlying historical philosophies that grew into liberal science and the threats liberal science faces from both fundamentalists and humanitarians. The book is even more relevant today than decades ago when it was written, and this edition contains an afterward added more recently to reflect modern times.

One person found this helpful

Strider

絶対に読むべき本です

Reviewed in Japan on July 9, 2020

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　邦訳（『表現の自由を脅かすもの』, 飯坂良明訳, 角川書店, 1996）でいいので、大学生、一般の人、それから特に政治家やお役人さんに、是非とも読んで欲しい本です。特に日本のように「自主規制」が何かにつけて行われるところでは。また、何処かの国の大統領ではないですが、SNS のような媒体で好きなことを言い散らしているだけで、批判を許さないような風潮の強まっている今日、本書の議論の価値はますます高まっていると思います。
　タイトルの Kindly Inquisitors ですが、inquisitor というのは inquisition、つまり取り調べ（歴史的には宗教的な異端者を審問（尋問）する人「異端審問官」が有名です）をする人のことです。審問や尋問という言葉を使いましたが、拷問も入るような厳しい取り調べです。そこに kind と同義の kindly がついています。あえて訳すならば「善意の検閲者」くらいの意味でしょうか。思想や表現の自由が認められている民主主義社会にあって「検閲」はそのような自由を脅かすものです。ところが、善意によるのだけれども、結局検閲という悪い効果をもたらしてしまうという皮肉があることを言おうとしています。
　言論や表現の自主規制は、相手の心情を慮ってとか、相手を傷つけないように、という理由からたいてい行われます。そして、被害者の心情ということは、表現の規制に際して、今日よく持ち出される理由です。「善意」と言うのは、こういうことです。
　しかし著者ラウシュは、真理を探究しようとすれば、誰かを傷つけずにいることはおそらくできないと言います。そこで相手を傷つけないという美名のもとに言うべきことを言わない、自由な相互批評を規制するというのは、自由な社会にとって損失なのではないかというのが彼の主張です。
要は、「あとがき」にチャールズ・パースとカール・ポパーがこの本の守護聖人だと書かれているように、自由に実験や理論や相互の批判をすることで少しずつ知見が進歩して行くという近代科学や学問のあり方を推奨しているのです。
　少し付け加えておくと、ラウシュ自身は早い時期から同性愛者の権利を擁護する議論をしていた人でした。ところが、黒人や女性やゲイの人たちは被害者であるけれども、それでも、被害者であるというだけで、彼らや彼らのために活動している人たちの見解が正当化されるわけではないと言っています。このへん、なかなか冷静で、しかもガッツのある人だなと思います。
　英語原書は、著者による「あとがき」まで入れても180ページ程度です。たいへんコンパクトにまとめられているので、確かに小説のように軽く読める本ではないかもしれませんが、やたらに難しい語彙や文体を使った難解な本ではなく、どちらかというと読みやすく書かれている読者思いの本ですので、是非読んでみてください。

One person found this helpful

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Pheebee

Brilliant

Reviewed in Canada on August 7, 2020

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The best book on free speech.

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