Religious or secular, fundamentalism is not unique to any particular political persuasion. To those in narrow-minded pursuit of ideological purity, disagreement is tantamount to treason and punishable by censure, ostracism, or cancellation. But how does this attitude shape how we engage with contemporary politics, public opinion, or art? Passionately argued, coolly critical, irreverently humorous, The Right to Be Wrong is a vigorous defence of independent thinking in an increasingly conformist world, which dares to ask: What do we lose if we lose the freedom to disagree?
“Sharp, accessible, and laced with keen humour, even as it tackles serious ground, The Right to Be Wrong makes a clear case for intellectual humility and independent thought. All while arguing that the freedom to be mistaken is essential if we hope to learn, grow, and live with one another in a divided world.”
– Open Book
“Robertson’s slim volume ... takes as its subject the cleavages — political, religious, ideological — that divide us into reactionary groups incapable of countenancing debate or dissent. … The ability, not to say the responsibility, to disagree is one of the key factors missing from our discourse and Robertson argues persuasively for its restoration.”
– That Shakespearean Rag
“In this slim volume, Robertson distills wisdom about the importance of free speech and full-throated debate to a civilized society from a wide variety of commentators through the ages, from Xenophanes through William Blake and Friedrich Nietzsche — and that’s just on one page … Robertson’s plea for civility will likely not be heard by those who would most benefit from his message — the trolls and thugs who intimidate others on social media. But by simply stating what he believes, Robertson is affirming his own right to be wrong — or right.”
– The Winnipeg Free Press
“Reading a well-written and well-reasoned book like The Right to Be Wrong whet my appetite for more … Maybe Robertson’s book will inspire you too?”
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