Overview

Political protests, debates on college campuses, and social media tirades make it seem like everyone is speaking their minds today. Surveys, however, reveal that many people increasingly feel like they’re walking on eggshells when communicating in public. Speaking your mind can risk relationships and professional opportunities. It can alienate friends and anger colleagues. Isn’t it smarter to just put your head down and keep quiet about controversial topics? In this book, Hrishikesh Joshi offers a novel defense of speaking your mind. He explains that because we are social creatures, we never truly think alone. What we know depends on what our community knows. And by bringing our unique perspectives to bear upon public discourse, we enhance our collective ability to reach the truth on a variety of important matters. Speaking your mind is also important for your own sake. It is essential for developing your own thinking. And it’s a core aspect of being intellectually courageous and independent. Joshi argues that such independence is a crucial part of a well-lived life. The book draws from Aristotle, John Stuart Mill, Friedrich Nietzsche, Bertrand Russell, and a range of contemporary thinkers to argue that it’s OK to speak your mind. Key Features Shows that we have not just a right but a moral duty to publicly share what we know. Argues that discussing your unique ideas with others is essential for developing as a critical thinker. Explores the value of intellectual honesty and independence in the writings of John Stuart Mill and Friedrich Nietzsche and connects their thinking to contemporary problems. Argues that avoiding cultural blind spots today is important for the fate of future generations.

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9780367141714

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Reviews

A brilliant exploration of the social nature of good reasoning, and why we don't just have the right but the duty to share our opinions-especially when they are thoughtful but unpopular. Sadly, this book is needed now more than ever, as surveys indicate that students feel uncomfortable airing their views in public, and social media accounts are scrutinized for cancel-worthy comments in the distant past. Anyone teaching or learning about free speech, public debate, or good reasoning will profit from this work. Dan Moller, University of Maryland A convincing case for standing up and speaking out. Drawing insights from Mill and Nietzsche, he argues that a life well-lived involves intellectual audacity and a willingness to accept personal risk in speaking our mind. Jonathan Anomaly, Univeristy of Pennsylvania

A brilliant exploration of the social nature of good reasoning, and why we don't just have the right but the duty to share our opinions-especially when they are thoughtful but unpopular. Sadly, this book is needed now more than ever, as surveys indicate that students feel uncomfortable airing their views in public, and social media accounts are scrutinized for cancel-worthy comments in the distant past. Anyone teaching or learning about free speech, public debate, or good reasoning will profit from this work. Dan Moller, University of Maryland A convincing case for standing up and speaking out. Drawing insights from Mill and Nietzsche, he argues that a life well-lived involves intellectual audacity and a willingness to accept personal risk in speaking our mind. Jonathan Anomaly, University of Pennsylvania

Author Information

Hrishikesh Joshi is Assistant Professor at Bowling Green State University, and works on moral and political philosophy. He completed his Ph.D. at Princeton University.

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