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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.
Jonathan Rauch
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Interpretation

What this quote means

In a liberal society, everyone should be open to criticism and the possibility of being wrong.

This quote emphasizes the importance of intellectual humility and the necessity of allowing for dissenting opinions in a liberal society. It suggests that a fundamental aspect of such a society is the recognition that individuals, including ourselves, are not infallible and that the freedom to make mistakes, and to be criticized for them, is essential for open dialogue and progress.

Themes

LiberalismCriticismIntellectual HumilityDialogueError

In practice

Example use cases

During a debate on freedom of speech, one could use this quote to highlight the need for open discussion.

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